SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The animated universe of “The Simpsons” has been credited with predicting everything from smartwatches to Disney’s corporate acquisitions. But its most accurate prophecy came in 2000, in the episode “Bart to the Future,” in which the show included a storyline involving a Donald Trump presidency.
Now, the man behind that cultural milestone is stepping out of the writers’ room and into the political arena.
Dan Greaney, a longtime writer and producer for the iconic animated series, has announced his 2028 candidacy for president of the United States. Running as a self-described “progressive Republican,” Greaney said he aims to channel a bygone political era, invoking the legacies of Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.
“In America, the government is supposed to work for everyone,” Greaney said in his campaign launch video. “Democracy for all, accountability for all, prosperity for all. We must restore this!”
Greaney joined the writing staff of “The Simpsons” during its seventh season in the mid-1990s, contributing to what many fans consider the show’s golden era. Over a decades-long career, he penned memorable episodes such as “Summer of 4 Ft. 2” and “King of the Hill.”
However, it was his script for “Bart to the Future” that cemented his place in pop culture history. In the episode, a grown-up Lisa Simpson is president and inherits a disastrous budget crisis from her predecessor, President Donald Trump. At the time, Greaney characterized the plot point as a warning to a drifting nation rather than a genuine expectation.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Simpsons writer who predicted Trump presidency will make a campaign of his own
Augie Walters: DOH! In a Simpsons episode released in the year 2000, Bart to the Future, the show predicted that Donald Trump would eventually become president of the United States. And the writer of that show is this guy. But who actually is he?
Syracuse Resident 1: “I think of an old Monty Python sketch. It looks like something that comes out of a sketch comedy from the 80’s, maybe.”
Syracuse Resident 2: “Initial thoughts of someone who is wise and worldly, maybe.”
Syracuse Resident 3: “A philosopher, prophet, sage, or wise man”
Walters: Well, he may sometimes be called “The Prophet,” but one title nobody mustered up to describe him was “future presidential candidate.” That’s right — Dan Greaney, the man dressed up in that photo, has officially announced he’s running for President of the United States in 2028 as what he calls “a progressive Republican in the tradition of Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.” Definitely feels like a new approach to launching a campaign. Or is it?
Resident 1: “People have been running goofy political campaigns for a while, so I would not say it’s exclusive to what is currently going on.”
Resident 2: “I think there are many ways of looking at it. Maybe they are trying to be innovative.”
Walters: At the end of the day, running for president is a bit different now than it used to be.
Resident 1: “Reminds me of, what was it, the guy with the boot on his head.”
Walters: But whether it was Vermin Supreme launching his 2024 presidential campaign, Kanye West making headlines with his 2020 run, or now a comedic sitcom writer throwing his hat into the ring for 2028, America’s streak of unconventional candidates doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. And in an ironic twist, this campaign seems to go directly against one of his own show’s philosophies. As Bart Simpson once famously said: “Kids, you tried your best, and you failed miserably. The lesson is: never try.” Well… Dan Greany is definitely trying.
Dan Greaney: “In America, the government is supposed to work for everyone. Democracy for all, accountability for all, prosperity for all. We must restore this!”
Now, Greaney is the one seeking the nation’s highest office, leaning into his unconventional background with a distinct campaign strategy.
The rollout has drawn mixed reactions. On the streets of Syracuse, residents viewing his campaign imagery were initially left guessing, unaware that the unusual wardrobe choice belonged to a newly declared presidential contender. Locals tossed out descriptors ranging from “sage” and “prophet” to “funny man” and “wise guy” to describe the writer’s attire.
Yet, unconventional and anti-establishment campaigns have a rich history in American politics. Political observers point to satirical figures like Vermin Supreme, the performance artist famous for wearing a boot on his head during perennial White House bids, and rapper Kanye West’s chaotic 2020 independent run as evidence that the line between entertainment and politics has long been blurred.
Whether voters will take the “Prophet of Springfield”, one of Greaney’s nicknames, seriously on the campaign trail remains to be seen. If he succeeds, he will defy the cynical philosophy of his own character, Bart Simpson, who once famously declared that the ultimate lesson in life is to “never try.”
For now, Greaney is definitely trying.