19th-century books and Tesla papers do not prove reality is a simulation?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @progressivepower

Literary coincidences and misinterpreted historical documents do not connect Donald Trump and Elon Musk in a simulated reality. The Reel links Ingersoll Lockwood's 1800s novels, Nikola Tesla's papers, and Wernher von Braun's 1953 book to claim reality is a simulation. However, Business Insider notes that von Braun used 'Elon' as a Martian political title rather than a proper name, and History documents that John G. Trump found no secret workable inventions or time travel in Tesla's papers.

3 claims checked
4 sources
Checked 28 Oct 2026
Main source: Trump's presidency predicted by obscure 19th century books, bizarre TikTok conspiracies claim

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The Reel we checked

@progressivepower

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The trick: Coincidence = cause

It claims one thing caused another only because it came first or happened at the same time (known as false cause).

“I'm telling you, dog, this shit is a simulation, bro.”

Coincidences in speculative fiction and standard reviews of historical documents do not establish a causal link to a simulated reality.

How this trick works and how to answer it →

What we checked

Nikola Tesla claimed he invented time travel and his blueprints were examined by John G. Trump after his death.“Trump reported that his analysis showed Tesla’s efforts to be “primarily of a speculative, philosophical and promotional character” and said the papers did “not include new sound, workable principles”The Mystery of Nikola Tesla’s Missing Files | HISTORY

Ingersoll Lockwood wrote a three-part book series in 1893 including Travels and Adventures of Little Baron Trump, Baron Trump's Marvelous Underground Journey, and The Last President.Except: Ingersoll Lockwood published Travels and Adventures of Little Baron Trump in 1889, Baron Trump's Marvellous Underground Journey in 1893, and 1900; or, The Last President in 1896 (Wikipedia, New York P“One novel in the series, “The Last President,” has fueled conspiracy theories that Donald Trump may”Trump's presidency predicted by obscure 19th century books, bizarre TikTok conspiracies claim + 1 more

Kid goes missing after truth on Trump family and Elon Musk leak.No reliable source found for this yet.

What the Reel doesn't tell you

John G. Trump concluded Tesla's papers lacked workable principles, and von Braun's 'Elon' was a government title rather than a person's name.
In 1943, electrical engineer John G. Trump evaluated Nikola Tesla's papers for the U.S. government and reported they were speculative with no workable secret inventions (History).
Wernher von Braun's 1953 novel Project Mars designated 'Elon' as the title of an elected leader position on Mars (Business Insider).

How it plays you

It wants you to think: “so reality is a simulation and the Trump family's connections to Nikola Tesla and science fiction books prove a hidden conspiracy”

Coincidences in fiction books and standard government evaluations of an inventor's speculative writings do not mean reality is a simulation or that Trump and Musk are part of a time-travel conspiracy.

Short version

⚠️ MISLEADING 👉 Literary coincidences and misinterpreted historical documents do not connect Donald Trump and Elon Musk in a simulated reality. 👉 The Reel links Ingersoll Lockwood's 1800s novels, Nikola Tesla's papers, and Wernher von Braun's 1953 book to claim reality is a simulation. 🎭 Trick: Coincidence = cause 📰 Sources: History, Business Insider 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat

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