'The Simpsons' episode with eerie similarities to Trump's assassination attempt pulled off-air by Channel 4

Following an assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, Channel 4 pulled an episode of 'The Simpsons' titled 'Lisa the Iconoclast'
UPDATED JUL 16, 2024
The episode, 'Lisa the Iconoclast,' originally aired in 1996, features a scene eerily similar to the real-life event of Donald Trump (Getty Images/Fox/Channel 4)
The episode, 'Lisa the Iconoclast,' originally aired in 1996, features a scene eerily similar to the real-life event of Donald Trump (Getty Images/Fox/Channel 4)

Trigger Warning: This article contains some graphic information and content that may trigger some readers. Discretion is advised.

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA: Channel 4 in the UK pulled an episode of 'The Simpsons' following an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally.

The episode, 'Lisa the Iconoclast,' originally aired in 1996, features a scene eerily similar to the real-life event where a law enforcement official aims at a rooftop.



 

'Lisa the Iconoclast' episode replaced after Trump shooting

On Saturday, July 13, as Trump spoke at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman fired at the former president, grazing his ear. The attacker, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was killed by Secret Service snipers.

The incident resulted in the tragic death of a volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore and left two others gravely injured.

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 13: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter is dead after injuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, killing one audience member and injuring another in the shooting. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Former President Donald Trump was rushed offstage by Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during a rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The controversial episode of 'The Simpsons' was supposed to air on Sunday, July 14, as part of a Season 7 marathon. Instead, it was replaced by a less provocative episode from Season 30, 'Baby You Can’t Drive My Car.'

Channel 4 made this switch quietly, likely in response to the sensitive nature of the shooting incident.



 

Eerie parallels to real-life events

The plot of 'Lisa the Iconoclast' involves Lisa discovering that Springfield’s founder was a murderous pirate who once attempted to kill George Washington. In a pivotal scene, a rooftop sniper aims at Lisa, mirroring the scenario at Trump’s rally. This uncanny similarity likely prompted Channel 4's decision to pull the episode.

Secret Service tend to republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump onstage after he was grazed by a bullet at a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Butler county district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter is dead after injuring former President Trump, killing one audience member and injuring another in the shooting. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Secret Service tend to Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump onstage after he was grazed by a bullet at a rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Trump described the incident as surreal, stating, “The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this, he called it a miracle.” He added, “The agents hit me so hard that my shoes fell off, and my shoes are tight. ... It’s surreal for all of us. I’m not supposed to be here. I’m supposed to be dead.”



 

The FBI continues to investigate the motives behind Crooks' actions. According to voter records, Crooks was a registered Republican who had recently purchased 50 rounds of ammunition. His connection to a popular gun YouTube channel Demolition Ranch and his failed attempt to join his high school shooting club are also being scrutinized.

Netizens react to similarity of ‘Simpsons’ episode and Trump's assassination  

Channel 4 viewers quickly noticed the schedule change and took to social media to share their thoughts. 

A social media user tweeted, "They are running the world ngl."

A second added, "That's ridiculous, its a cartoon from 25 years ago."

A third tweeted, "I wonder if Thomas Matthew Crooks watched that episode?"

"These fascists think this crap is cool. It's not," read a tweet.

"No way they predicted this," penned an individual.



 



 



 



 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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