Back to the Future's Biff was Based on Donald Trump, Screenwriter Confirms

Don’t you love those rare instances when fan speculation turns out to be right? Too often, I think up a brilliant theory in the shower, run to post it online, and discover that not only has literally everybody else had this thought, the creators looked at it and said “Hmm, nope.” LOST was a difficult time for me.

But now we have timely confirmation of one longstanding fan theory surrounding Robert Zemeckis’ beloved Back to the Future trilogy. For years, people guessed the series’ primary antagonist, Biff Tannen, might be based on real-estate mogul and current national embarrassment Donald Trump.

Series screenwriter Bob Gale confirmed this theory to The Guardian, telling the paper:

“We thought about it when we made the movie! Are you kidding?” Gale said to the Daily Beast. “You watch Part II again and there’s a scene where Marty confronts Biff in his office and there’s a huge portrait of Biff on the wall behind Biff, and there’s one moment where Biff kind of stands up and he takes exactly the same pose as the portrait? Yeah.”

Biff Tannen from the alternative timeline, shortly after being confronted by Marty McFly. — Biff Tannen from the alternative timeline, shortly after being confronted by Marty McFly about his knowledge of future events.

The version of Biff most see as being based on Trump is the one from Back to the Future Part II, where an older version of Biff creates an alternative 1985. In this altered timeline, Biff is an ultra rich casino mogul who has used his money and status to influence politics.

Amusingly, the world under Biff’s control is a violent and chaotic place—a satire that was quite clearly ahead of its time. This is heavy.