Trump Vs Biden Election Parodies
Also known as: Election Infobox Parodies · Fake Election Memes
Trump vs. Biden Election Parodies is an image edit series that emerged in October 2020, reimagining the U.S. presidential election as if it were taking place in foreign or entirely fictional countries. Each parody takes the official Wikipedia infobox for the 2020 race and swaps in localized versions of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, complete with translated names and region-appropriate photos. The format spread rapidly across Reddit, Twitter, Discord, and 4chan in the weeks leading up to Election Day.
Overview
The format works by taking the official Wikipedia election infobox graphic for the 2020 United States presidential race and editing it to depict a fictional election in another country1. The two candidates are always thinly veiled stand-ins for Donald Trump and Joe Biden, with their names phonetically adapted to fit the target culture. Portraits are swapped with local politicians, cultural figures, or AI-generated faces that match the region. The result is a deadpan parody that looks like a legitimate Wikipedia entry at first glance, making the joke land through its visual authenticity.
The 2020 election between Trump and Biden provided ideal raw material for the format3. The race was one of the most watched political events globally, with record voter turnout and intense international attention. That universal awareness made the candidates instantly recognizable enough to parody across any cultural context.
The original unedited infobox appeared on Wikipedia after both candidates received their formal party nominations in summer 2020. Donald Trump accepted the Republican nomination while Joe Biden secured the Democratic nomination at his party's convention on August 18, 20203.
On October 2nd, 2020, a Discord user known as "mb" created and shared what is believed to be the first parody version of the election infobox1. This initial edit depicted a fictional election in the "United Islamic States," replacing the candidates with region-appropriate equivalents while keeping the Wikipedia formatting intact. The image was tweeted the same day, marking the meme's jump from Discord to public social media.
Origin & Background
How It Spread
How to Use This Meme
The template follows a consistent formula:
Start with the Wikipedia infobox layout for the 2020 U.S. presidential election
Replace "United States" with a different country (real or fictional)
Rename the candidates to phonetic or cultural equivalents of "Donald Trump" and "Joe Biden"
Swap the candidate photos with politicians, public figures, or generated images that fit the target culture
Adjust party names, electoral details, and other metadata to match the fictional setting
Cultural Impact
Fun Facts
The Dutch version's use of Geert Wilders as the Trump stand-in was widely praised for its accuracy, since Wilders is often compared to Trump in European political commentary.
The subreddit r/ImaginaryElections existed before the meme but became closely associated with it during October 2020.
The format required genuine knowledge of other countries' political systems, making it one of the more "educational" meme templates of the 2020 election cycle.
Biden's 2020 victory marked the first time an incumbent president lost re-election since George H.W. Bush in 1992.
Derivatives & Variations
Historical period edits:
Users created versions depicting the Trump-Biden dynamic in ancient Rome, medieval Europe, and other historical settings, keeping the Wikipedia formatting but adjusting it for the era[1].
Fictional universe edits:
Versions set in Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and other fictional universes reimagined the election with in-universe candidates and political parties[1].
Regional deep cuts:
Some of the most popular versions went beyond obvious country swaps to depict elections in obscure micronations or disputed territories, with hyper-specific cultural references[1].
Frequently Asked Questions
References (3)
- 1Donald Trumpencyclopedia
- 22020 United States presidential electionencyclopedia
- 3