The Simpsons correctly predicted a Donald Trump would be President 16 years ago in an episode set in the near future

TODAY The Simpsons saw the most absurd prediction in its 27-year history come true - correctly forecasting Donald Trump would be president.

In an episode aired in 2000, the show portrays a grown-up Lisa as the incumbent, who refers to ";inheriting quite a budget crunch from President Trump".

The uncanny prediction occurred in Bart To The Future, an episode revealing how the lives of its central characters could turn out.

It later referenced his real-life run for the presidency again last year in a short clip called Trumptastic Voyage - though by this stage his candidacy was more commonly expected.

How did it all unfold? Catch up on the roundup of the US Presidential Election

What happens now Donald Trump won the 2016 US Election and what can we expect from the new President?

After calling Donald Trump’s rise to power in 2000, here are 8 more eerie predictions on The Simpsons that came true

Earlier this year Simpsons creator Matt Groening told they used Trump because he was "the most absurd placeholder joke name that we could think of".

He added: "That's still true, it's beyond satire. If by chance he gets elected, which I doubt highly will happen, I think we’ll suddenly be very inspired."

Dan Greaney, a long-time writer for the show, said it was a "warning to America".