As social media lit up with talk of the U.S. presidential election outcome, some users responded to Donald Trump's victory with cynicism and humour, using the hashtag "Trumpocalypse" to predict doom and gloom for the future of the country.
Many compared Trump to pop culture villains who became president in works of fiction, including "Back to the Future" bad guy Biff Tannen and Lex Luthor, Superman's arch-nemesis. Biff became a casino mogul and president in "Back to the Future Part II," while Lex Luthor used his real estate business to manipulate his way into winning the presidency, in a Superman comic book storyline from 2003.
"Lex Luthor is going to be the U.S. president and we don't have Superman," comic writer Bryan Hitch on Wednesday.
Remember that time Lex Luthor became President?
— Tom Lennon (@tomlennon)
Looks like real life LEX LUTHOR (Donald Trump) is WINNING. When do THE JUSTICE LEAGUE turn up 2 throw him in ARKHAM ASYLUM?
— Victor Ebuwa (@VicEbuwaSlick)
Even President Lex Luthor sounds better than President Trump.
— Nobody's Hero (@WeightsAndLife)
Lex Luther is now President of the United States
— Ryan Bauer (@Logan33dc)
Others pointed out the similarities between Trump, a real estate mogul and former casino owner, and Biff Tannen, the villain in "Back to the Future."
You know when Marty wakes up in the alternative 1985, and Biff rules Hill Valley? That. Only worse. Much worse.
— Dan O'Hagan ⚽️ (@danohagan)
In back to the future 2 it's 2015, Biff is based on Trump and shows a Trump-run society. Also Cubs won.
— austin (@kwintugh)
This seems weirdly familiar.
— Dylan Langley (@DylanLangley)
Screenwriter Bob Gale, who penned the script for "Back to the Future Part II," has publicly stated that the character of Biff was based on Donald Trump. "We thought about it when we made the movie," he told in 2015.
But "Back to the Future" and comics weren't the only works of fiction to suggest a Trump-like candidate might one day take the White House. "The Simpsons" also predicted Trump's presidency, in a flash-forward episode first broadcast in 2000. In the episode, President Lisa Simpson says she's inherited a budget crisis from her predecessor in office, Donald Trump.
The Simpsons predicted this back in 2000
— b.b (@Benoo_Brown)
Amid all the Biff, Luthor and "Simpsons" tweets, others predicted the "Trumpocalypse."
Canadians waking up to a Trump presidency feels like our cool big brother lost his way and is now spiralling out of control.
— Marcio Novelli (@MarcioNovelli)
Welcome to 11/9 ~ which will prove to be the single most world changing day since 9/11 ~
— Birchway Sound (@birchway_sound)
a man who couldn't be trusted with access to his twitter account now has his finger on the big red button
— The Nasty Wench (@the_nasty_wench)
- are we all starting the countdown to global market mayhem?
— Rosemary Travis (@maple_mom)
Don't worry everyone! Everything will be just fine!
— Tyne Eynt (@hey_valentyne)
Let the games begin....
— Ricardo Astilla M (@ikyram)
On this day, more than any other. I am soooooo Its gonna be a circus, as the whole world watches
— James Mayhem (@strangeulated)
This pretty much sums up what happened last night.
— Mizz Tasia (@Mizz_Tasia17)
In other news, George W. Bush no longer afraid of going down in history as "Worst President Ever."
— Dan Ellis (@Religinon)
Also trending on Wednesday was the hashtag "ImStillWithHer," a modification to Hillary Clinton's "I'm with her" campaign slogan.
I'm sorry Muslim, Mexican, African, LGBT Americans, I'm sorry....my heart is broken.
— Rhyder Riplee (@RhyderRiplee)
Don't forget to set your clocks back 50 years tonight.
— Alexandra Smith (@therealhandro)
But amid the outcry over Trump's victory, plenty of others were celebrating.
Its not all about trump. Its about . No need for anyone to be mad. Rise to the Occasion America!!!
— Julia DruSilla (@tiffani_herrera)
If one thing has portrayed is being yourself regardless of what other people think/say of you and you'll still make it at life✊
— Ijuka Joab (@Joab_Ijuka)