LOS ANGELES — Dan Greaney, a writer for The Simpsons, launched his 2028 U.S. presidential campaign at a rally on March 23, 2026, in Los Angeles. Greaney is running as a progressive Republican with a platform focused on judicial reform, universal health care, and overturning Citizens United.
The rally took place at a park near the Silver Lake Reservoir and was attended by approximately 30 people. Three attendees wore costumes, one each depicting Uncle Sam, Darth Vader, and Elsa from Frozen. Television writer Brent Forrester introduced Greaney at the event.
Greaney has been a television writer for the show since the 1990s, having written episodes such as "Summer of 4 Ft. 2," "King-Size Homer," and "Bart to the Future." The 2000 episode "Bart to the Future" portrays Lisa Simpson's presidency, where she inherits a budget crisis from a former president named Donald Trump. Regarding the episode, Greaney said, "It was a warning to America. It was pitched because it was consistent with the vision of America going insane."
Greaney's political platform includes expanding the Supreme Court to 13 justices and reforming the judicial branch to limit its purview. He also proposes investigating corruption among court members and passing a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Greaney also supports prosecuting contributions to Donald Trump's campaigns that may have constituted illegal influence buying.
In addition to judicial reforms, Greaney supports universal health care, a Green New Deal, and policies designed to increase access to affordable housing. He pledged to refuse corporate PAC money for his campaign. Greaney plans to launch a podcast featuring politically experienced guests to provide advisory input on his campaign.
Greaney's campaign director is artist and writer Mieke Marple, who has been friends with Greaney for 15 years. Marple said, "I know that Dan cares and is sincere, and I wasn't afraid to do something that looked a little unconventional on the outside and take it really seriously." She added, "We will spend your money wisely, I promise."
At the rally, Greaney said, "I think democracy is under attack, and in many ways has been demolished by a rogue Supreme Court, by a lawless president, and by the cliques of billionaires that they work for." He described his campaign as "pretty ridiculous" but clarified, "Yes, it is a bit absurd, but it's not a joke. And, in fact, it's an act of conscience."
Greaney had previously served as president of the Harvard Lampoon, worked as a journalist, and practiced law. Greaney authored the phrase "A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" for the fictional town of Springfield on the show. He said he does not care about public reactions to his campaign.
No independent assessment of Dan Greaney’s claims was available.