If you’ve spent any time on the corner of the internet that obsesses over Five Nights at Freddy’s lore or the calorie count of a Minecraft mushroom stew, you know Matthew Patrick. Or, as he’s known to millions, MatPat. Recently, a weirdly persistent rumor has been bubbling up in comment sections and Twitter threads: is MatPat actually running for President of the United States?
It sounds like a classic internet tall tale. Like the kind of thing that starts as a meme and ends up on a snopes page. But when you look at what he's been up to since "retiring" from his main hosting duties in early 2024, the idea isn't quite as out-of-left-field as you'd think.
Let's be clear upfront: MatPat has not officially filed to run for President. There is no "Theorist Party" ticket for 2028 yet. However, the reason people are even asking this question is because Matt has started doing something many creators never do. He’s gone to Washington.
From FNAF Lore to Federal Law
In June 2025, MatPat made a move that caught a lot of people off guard. He helped establish the Creator Economy Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.
This wasn't just a photo op. It was a bipartisan effort to bridge the massive gap between aging lawmakers and the trillion-dollar digital economy. Honestly, seeing a guy who spent a decade screaming about psychic bears standing in a suit next to congressmen is a trip. But for Matt, it makes perfect sense. He’s always been an analyst first.
He isn't just "some YouTuber" anymore. He's effectively a high-level advocate—some might say a lobbyist, though he prefers the term advocate—for the rights of digital workers. He’s pushing for better internet laws and ensuring that when Congress talks about "Section 230" or "AI regulation," they actually know how those things affect real people making a living in their bedrooms.
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The "Retirement" That Wasn't
When MatPat dropped his "Goodbye Internet" video in January 2024, the world mourned. We thought he was going to disappear to a beach and finally play a video game for fun.
That... didn't happen.
Instead, he’s stayed incredibly busy. He handed the hosting keys of Game Theory, Film Theory, Food Theory, and Style Theory to Tom, Lee, Santi, and Amy, but he stayed on as a strategist. Then he launched LoreFi. Then he co-produced a musical in London’s West End.
Basically, MatPat is a workaholic. He’s built a massive business empire, sold it to Lunar X, and then decided his "retirement" would consist of fixing the internet's legal framework. When you have that kind of drive, "President" starts to sound like just another "Completionist Run" of life.
Why Fans Think He Could Actually Win
Politics in the 2020s is weird. Traditional paths to power are crumbling. If a reality TV star can win, why not a guy who understands data better than almost anyone in the country?
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Fans point to a few key "Theorist" traits that would actually make him a terrifyingly effective candidate:
- Data Literacy: The man eats spreadsheets for breakfast. He understands how to move numbers and reach audiences better than most political consultants.
- The "Dad" Energy: He’s spent 13 years being the internet's smart, slightly over-caffeinated older brother. There is a deep level of trust there.
- Communication: He can explain the most complex socio-economic issues using a Mario metaphor. That is a superpower in a world of 30-second TikTok clips.
There was a moment in his final "Game Theory" episode where he broke down the actual mathematical concept of Game Theory. He talked about cooperation, being honest about your strategy, and not being a pushover. It felt less like a gaming video and more like a manifesto for how to run a society.
The Reality Check
Kinda have to bring things back to earth for a second. Running for President requires more than just a loyal fanbase. It requires a massive political machine, hundreds of millions of dollars, and a willingness to have your entire life—every old tweet, every joke, every awkward moment—pulled apart under a microscope.
Matt has a young son. He’s spent the last year talking about how much he values his privacy and his family time. Moving into the White House is basically the opposite of "spending more time with the family."
Also, being a "lobbyist" or an advocate for the creator economy is a very specific niche. Helping Congress understand YouTube is a long way from navigating a global energy crisis or international trade deals.
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What’s Most Likely to Happen
If I had to bet? MatPat stays in the "Shadow Cabinet" of the internet.
He’s much more effective as the guy who explains things to the people in power. He can walk into a room of lawmakers and speak their language while also holding the attention of 40 million subscribers. That is a unique position of influence that he would lose the moment he picked a political party and ran for office.
He’s currently focused on:
- Legislative Advocacy: Making sure the Creator Economy Caucus actually does something.
- Creative Production: Projects like LoreFi and theater.
- Mentorship: Helping the new hosts of the Theorist channels find their footing.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
Whether you're a fan or just someone watching the creator economy evolve, there are a few things you should take away from the "MatPat for President" buzz.
- Watch the Caucus: Keep an eye on the Creator Economy Caucus. The laws they propose will affect how you use the internet, how your data is handled, and how creators get paid.
- The Power of Niche Expertise: MatPat’s transition from gaming to Washington proves that if you are the best in the world at one specific thing (like digital audience analytics), that skill is transferable to almost any industry.
- The "Retirement" Blueprint: If you’re a business owner, look at how Matt stepped down. He spent years "staffing up" and training his replacements so the brand could survive without him. That’s a masterclass in exit strategy.
MatPat might not be moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue any time soon, but he's definitely not "retired" in the way we usually think. He’s just playing a different game now. And if there’s one thing we know about Matt, it’s that he’s probably already figured out the meta.
If you're interested in how creators are changing the world beyond YouTube, you might want to look into the specific bills being discussed by the Creator Economy Caucus this year. It's way more interesting than the rumors.