Capitol riots: The Simpsons eerily predicted incident in 1996
Scene in question shows characters running up Capitol steps, firing guns
The Simpsons has a history of somehow predicting moments from the future, and the Capitol riots were no different.
Days after Donald Trump supporters stormed the building in an attempt to prevent Joe Biden’s presidency from being certified, one scene is being highlighted from a season seven episode of the long-running animated show.
The episode, titled “The Day the Violence Died”, follows Bart as he meets the penniless creator of the animated character Itchy, who sues for restitution.
One scene around the 16-minute mark shows Bart and Lisa watching The Krusty the Clown Show, which introduces a new cartoon in place of Itchy and Scratchy after it’s taken off the air.
The cartoon features an anthropomorphic amendment waiting to be ratified by Congress. It’s shown to be sitting on the steps of the Capitol in Washington DC.
“I’m an amendment to be and I’m hoping that they’ll ratify me,” it sings to a child to the tune of Schoolhouse Rock’s “I’m Just a Bill”.
It then threatens to “crush all opposition” if the amendment is not passed.
“There’s a lot of flag-burners who have got too much freedom,” it continues, adding: “I want to make a deal for policemen to beat them.”
At this point, a member of Congress runs out of the Capitol to announce the amendment has indeed been passed, to which it gleefully stands up and shouts: “Oh yeah – doors open, boys.”
It then shows several other characters running up the Capitol steps, firing guns and holding bombs with their fuses lit while whooping for joy.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
This episode, which was highlighted on Twitter by Francis Creaven, was first broadcast on 17 March 1996.
Fans of The Simpsons also believe that the cartoon predicted the coronavirus outbreak back in 1993.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies