The Simpsons’Matt Groening took time at San Diego Comic-Con to make some pointed comments about Elon Musk, which puts a season 26 episode in an entirely new light.The Simpsonshas featured plenty of guest stars over the years from across the political aisle, but it also largely showcases a progressive and liberal perspective on the world. Characters like Lisa often serve as the voice of the creatives behind the scenes, expressing their worldview through the absurd comedy that’s always definedThe Simpsons.
One of the show’s more controversial explorations of modern politics came ten years ago in season 26’s “The Musk Who Fell To Earth,” which sawthe controversial billionaire and tech CEO Elon Muskvisit Springfield. At the time, the episode was largely targeted by critics for its complimentary portrayal of Musk. However,Matt Groening’s recent jokes about Musk at SDCCinvited a reexamination of Musk’s appearance on the show, which takes on a much more cutting satirical edge in retrospect.
Matt Groening’s Elon Musk SDCC 2025 Comments, Explained
The Simpsonscreator Matt Groening’s jokes about Elon Musk atthe show’s 2025 SDCC panelcast a new satirical light on Musk’s guest appearance in the show’s 26th season. During SDCC,Matt Groening jokingly revealed a number of new “Simpsons predictions,“referencing the show’s infamous tendency to occasionally predict real-life occurrences with their jokes.
Groening used this as an opportunity to take some digs at the current state of politics in America, noting that JD Vance will outlaw dancing and the United States will return the Statue of Liberty.Groening also joked that Elon Musk would be the first person to reach Mars, but would be stranded. Despite this, Groening joked that “he’ll still hear the cheers” from Earth.
Given Musk’s increasing swing to right-wing politics over the years, it makes sense that the typically progressive creatives behindThe Simpsons,like Matt Groening, would want to poke fun at the billionaire. It’s far from the only Elon Musk jokeThe Simpsonshas made over the years.
In fact, Elon Musk himself once appeared inThe Simpsons, playing an exaggerated version of himself. Although the episode was criticized upon release for being a fawning tribute to the Tesla CEO,Groening’s recent comments and the actual plot of “The Musk Who Fell To Earth” hint at a far more satirical edgethan most initially assumed.
Elon Musk Visited Springfield (And Almost Ruined It) In Season 26
Directed by Matthew Nastuk and written by Neil Campbell, “The Musk Who Fell To Earth” focuses on the unlikely friendship between Elon Musk and Homer after the former comes to Springfield.The episode portrays Musk as a well-meaning genius who doesn’t care about money, contributing to the general perception that the episode is largely supportive of Musk.
However,the actual events and fallout of Musk’s arrival paint the episode in a different light. Musk first arrives on the scene just as the Simpsons are releasing a Bald Eagle back into the wild, incarcerating the iconic American symbol with his rocket ship as it touches down. It’s a quick and brutal bit of imagery that is quickly brushed aside to make way for Musk.
Musk is able to convince the Simpsons of his better qualities and charms most of Springfield, even pitching himself as a worthwhile business partner to Mr. Burns. However, Musk’s innovations, inspired by Homer’s nonsense,end up almost bankrupting the Nuclear Plant and Springfield within weeks. This prompts Burns to fire almost everyone at the Nuclear Power Plant.
Musk then leaves Springfield after Homer is forced to end their friendship, doing so gently so as not to upset the billionaire. Musk’s financial impact on Springfield is so devastating that a subsequent episode, “The Princess Guide,” deals with Burns trying to restore the plant’s finances —a rare piece of direct continuity within episodes ofThe Simpsons.
The Simpsons' Elon Musk Parody Feels More Prescient Than Ever
While there are aspects ofThe Simpsons' Elon Musk that felt flattering,the more satirical elements of “The Musk Who Fell To Earth” land a lot hardergiven his more recent actions. The shot of Musk burning up a bald eagle upon his arrival would feel like a direct political jab in modern times, but was largely overlooked at the time.
Matt Groening’s “predictions” about Musk also underscore a major running gag of Musk’s episode. The real-life Musk has been criticized for taking overwhelming credit for the advancements of his companies, which rely on numerous scientists and engineers. “The Musk Who Fell To Earth” sees Musk gain plenty of brilliant ideas, largely from an unrecognized Homer.
Even Lisa’s fawning treatment of Musk, which feels the most out of character beat in the show thanks to her typically anti-capitalistic leanings, can be seen as part of the joke.Lisa represents people who believed Musk’s initial public persona as a benevolent genius, unaware of the damage his presence could bring to her town.
While “The Musk Who Fell To Earth” seems complimentary on the surface, it’s clear from Matt Groening’s jokes about Elon Musk at SDCC thatThe Simpsonscreatives have no affection for Musk in the modern day. This adds a more cutting layer to the season 26 episode, making one ofThe Simpsons' more critiqued episodes a good prediction of modern views on Musk.
