From superheroes and science fiction to political thrillers and animated comedies, television has never been shy about taking shots at the White House. But during Donald Trump‘s first and second administrations, scripted shows have increasingly blurred the lines between fiction and reality, using everything from thinly veiled political stand-ins to outright caricatures of the president himself.
Some series, like The Boys and South Park, have made their targets impossible to miss, while others, including Andor and The Diplomat, have taken a more subtle approach, exploring themes of authoritarianism, political corruption, propaganda, and the dangers of unchecked power.
Whether intentional, coincidental, or simply a case of art imitating life, these scripted shows have found plenty to say about the Trump era, sometimes without ever mentioning the president by name.