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Timeline

The President (2016) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 119 min
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Following a period of oppression, a former President finds himself in hiding with his grandson. Now stripped of his power, he must adopt a new identity and evade those seeking retribution for the suffering he caused. They journey through dangerous landscapes, seeking refuge and blending in with a group of revolutionaries who disguise themselves as street performers. Their quest is a perilous fight for survival and a chance at freedom.

Drama Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The President
  6. 6 Every angle
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12 events in order · contains spoilers

The President Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The President (2016) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. The Superhero Origin

    In 1997, four former U.S. Presidents—Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush—gain superpowers after being struck by lightning during a celebrity golf tournament. This unexpected event marks the beginning of their adventures as a superhero team known as the X-Presidents.

    When
    1997
    Where
    Celebrity Golf Tournament

  2. Official Debut

    The X-Presidents make their official television debut on January 11, 1997. This sketch introduces audiences to the humorous premise of Presidents turned superheroes, contrasting their former roles with their new identities.

    When
    January 11, 1997

  3. Introducing Bill Clinton

    Despite not having superpowers, former President Bill Clinton frequently joins the X-Presidents on their missions. His role adds a dynamic element to the group, showcasing teamwork among different political figures.

  4. The X-First Ladies

    The wives of the X-Presidents form their own group called The X-First Ladies. This team showcases their unique powers and flair, providing comedic balance to the superhero exploits of their husbands.

  5. Resurrection of Richard Nixon

    In the episode titled 'Nixon', Richard Nixon is brought back to life along with his dog Checkers to assist the X-Presidents. This resurrection plays into the comedic absurdity of the series and adds an iconic figure to the superhero roster.

  6. The Hunt for Osama

    In 'The Hunt for Osama', former Republican candidate Bob Dole is portrayed as the butler at the group's headquarters. He expresses his eagerness to join the hunt for terrorist Osama bin Laden, prompting Reagan's humorous response.

  7. Propaganda Episode

    In the 'Propaganda' episode, the X-Presidents recruit Tom Kenny, who voices SpongeBob SquarePants, to create a pro-Iraq War cartoon. However, the disturbing content leads Kenny's character to abandon the project, highlighting the absurdity of wartime propaganda.

  8. Cameos from Political Figures

    Throughout the series, various political figures such as George W. Bush and Dick Cheney make cameo appearances. These cameos serve to poke fun at real-life political scenarios and add layers to the comedy.

  9. Musical Conclusions

    Each episode concludes with the X-Presidents singing a comical song that encapsulates the episode's message. This playful ending reinforces the show's lighthearted tone and engages the audience musically.

  10. A Special Guest Appearance

    The Ambiguously Gay Duo, another famous animated series, makes a special guest appearance in the episode 'The Hunt for Osama'. This crossover adds a meta-humor layer and ties together different comedic universes.

  11. Humor with a Historical Twist

    The series broadly parodies classic Hanna-Barbera and Filmation cartoons from the 1970s. This nostalgic approach appeals to older audiences while providing relatable humor through geopolitical satire.

  12. Film Adaptation Plans

    In 2006, creator Robert Smigel announced that he had written a script for a potential X-Presidents film directed by Adam McKay. This proposed adaptation shows the continued popularity and potential of the series beyond its original run.

    When
    2006

Last updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04

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Timeline questions answered

The President Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The President (2016): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

How do the former Presidents get their superpowers?

The four former Presidents, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, gain superpowers after being struck by lightning during a celebrity golf tournament in 1997. This thunderous lightning strike triggers their extraordinary metamorphosis into superheroes.

  • lightning strike
  • superpowers
  • celebrity golf tournament
  • origin story
Q2

Why doesn't Bill Clinton have superpowers?

Bill Clinton is the only former President among the group who lacks superpowers. Despite not having any powers, he occasionally provides support to the X-Presidents on their missions, joining them on various adventures.

  • bill clinton
  • no powers
  • support role
Q3

Why is Richard Nixon brought back in the series?

In the episode titled 'Nixon,' Richard Nixon is resurrected along with his faithful dog Checkers to assist the X-Presidents. This resurrection plays into the comedic absurdity of the series, adding the infamous former President to the superhero roster.

  • richard nixon
  • resurrection
  • checkers
  • Nixon episode
Q4

What is Bob Dole's role in the series?

Bob Dole appears in 'The Hunt for Osama' episode as the butler at the X-Presidents' headquarters. He expresses his eagerness to join the mission to track down Osama bin Laden, prompting Ronald Reagan to humorously respond, 'Dole, just be glad we let you be butler.'

  • bob dole
  • butler
  • hunt for osama
  • episode
Q5

What happens in the Propaganda episode with SpongeBob?

In the 'Propaganda' episode, the X-Presidents recruit Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, to create a pro-Iraq War cartoon. However, Kenny's character becomes disillusioned due to the offensive and inappropriate content and abandons the project, highlighting the absurdity of wartime propaganda.

  • tom kenny
  • spongebob
  • propaganda episode
  • iraq war cartoon
Q6

Who are the X-First Ladies?

The wives of the X-Presidents form their own group called The X-First Ladies. This team showcases their unique powers and comedic flair, providing balanced humor alongside the superhero exploits of their presidential husbands.

  • x-first ladies
  • wives
  • female team
Q7

Do the episodes feature musical numbers?

Yes, each episode concludes with the X-Presidents performing a song that encapsulates the message of the episode. These comical musical endings reinforce the show's playful tone and provide melodic resolution to their humorous adventures.

  • songs
  • musical numbers
  • closing songs
  • episode endings
Q8

What is the reference behind the title X-Presidents?

The title 'X-Presidents' cleverly plays on the status of the characters as ex-Presidents while also nodding to the renowned Marvel Comics series X-Men. This dual reference sets up the premise of former Presidents functioning as a superhero team.

  • x-men parody
  • marvel comics
  • title reference
  • superhero team
Q9

What is The Ambiguously Gay Duo crossover?

The Ambiguously Gay Duo, another famous animated segment created by Robert Smigel and J.J. Sedelmaier, makes a special guest appearance in 'The Hunt for Osama' episode. This crossover adds meta-humor and connects different comedic universes.

  • ambiguously gay duo
  • crossover
  • robert smigel
  • guest appearance
Q10

What classic cartoons does the series parody?

The series broadly parodies classic Hanna-Barbera and Filmation cartoons from the 1970s. This nostalgic approach appeals to older audiences while providing relatable humor through geopolitical satire and the absurd premise of presidential superheroes.

  • hanna-barbera
  • filmation
  • parody
  • 1970s cartoons
  • nostalgic humor
Q11

Was a feature film ever made?

In a 2006 interview, creator Robert Smigel revealed plans for a feature film based on X-Presidents, written with Adam McKay. However, no film was ultimately produced, though the proposed adaptation demonstrated the series' enduring appeal.

  • film adaptation
  • robert smigel
  • adam mckay
  • plans

Movie threads

More Movies Like The President, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The President tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical Political Satires like The President

Lighthearted comedies that use absurdity to poke fun at power and politics. Discover movies like The President that blend humor and political commentary. If you enjoyed the playful parody of historical figures and lighthearted take on power, you'll find similar comedies here. These films use satire and whimsy to create an engaging and funny experience.

  • satirical
  • lighthearted
  • playful
  • quirky
  • humorous
  • absurd
  • Tone: whimsical, humorous
  • Pacing: variable, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread often involve an absurd reimagining of real-world institutions or figures, placing them in comedic scenarios. The conflict is typically resolved with wit and humor rather than genuine stakes, leading to a feel-good or amusing conclusion.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared whimsical tone and satirical focus on politics. They prioritize lighthearted fun and clever parody, creating a cohesive viewing experience for fans of political humor without the weight of serious drama.

Whale movie poster

Whale

1970
Welcome Mr. President! movie poster

Welcome Mr. President!

2013
The President movie poster

The President

2016
Presidential Reunion movie poster

Presidential Reunion

2010
Delusions of Grandeur movie poster

Delusions of Grandeur

1971
History of the World: Part I movie poster

History of the World: Part I

1981
The Mouse That Roared movie poster

The Mouse That Roared

1959
Snow White and the Three Stooges movie poster

Snow White and the Three Stooges

1961

Movies about Disguised Identity Journeys like The President

Characters on the run adopt new personas and find refuge in unexpected communities. Explore films similar to The President where characters go into hiding and adopt new identities. If you liked the story of a former leader blending in with street performers, you'll enjoy these narratives about survival, disguise, and finding community on the run.

  • suspenseful
  • journey
  • disguise
  • refuge
  • eccentric
  • survival
  • Tone: dramatic, suspenseful with whimsical elements
  • Pacing: variable, journey-based
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a fugitive's perilous journey, focusing on their struggle to maintain a disguise while navigating a new world. Tension arises from the constant threat of discovery, balanced with moments of connection and refuge found within their new, often eccentric, community.

Why they belong together: These films share the core plot device of a disguised identity as a means of survival. They combine tension with character-driven drama, exploring themes of redemption, adaptation, and the search for belonging against a backdrop of danger.

The Great Impostor movie poster

The Great Impostor

1961
His Double Life movie poster

His Double Life

2016
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind movie poster

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

2002
Offbeat movie poster

Offbeat

1961
Another Face movie poster

Another Face

1935
Masquerade movie poster

Masquerade

2012
The Chameleon movie poster

The Chameleon

2011
Complete Unknown movie poster

Complete Unknown

2016

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Movies Like The President

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The President’s Barber movie poster

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The Kidnapping of the President

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Man on a Tightrope movie poster

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Guns of Darkness movie poster

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Every angle

The President (2016) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The President in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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