Warning: This article contains spoilers for What If...? episode 8.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe showed Steve Rogers becoming President of the United States instead of fighting Ultron in Marvel's What If...?, and there's a sad reason why. What If...? episode 8 unleashed Ultron (voiced by Ross Marquand) onto the MCU, which resulted in complete devastation. Ultron destroys his own universe with the help of the Infinity Stones, and he begins to realize there are infinitely more. After discovering the Watcher (Jeffrey Wright) has access to other worlds, he fights the god-like figure across time and space. Unfortunately, while accessing the Multiverse, Ultron is nearly unstoppable, and the Watcher gets desperate. To stop Ultron from destroying the entire MCU, the Watcher turns to evil Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) for help.

Steve Rogers (voiced by Josh Keaton) has had a rollercoaster journey through What If...? thus far. In the What If...? premiere, Rogers never got the Super Soldier Serum. Instead, Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) underwent the experiment and took on the moniker of Captain Carter. Without the Super Soldier Serum, Rogers took another path to become a hero, becoming the first Iron Man. Then, in episode 5, Captain America's story took a darker turn. In a failed effort to stop a zombie virus from spreading through the MCU, Cap tragically joined the legions of the undead.

Related: Why The Watcher Was Shocked At [SPOILER]’s MCU Return

What If...? episode 8 throws in another wrinkle to Captain America's story, showing Steve Rogers accepting the presidency while Ultron threatens his universe. During the episode, Ultron and the Watcher fight through different parts of the Multiverse, battling through everything from jungles to desert terrain. At one point, the Watcher falls into a universe where a giant screen shows Rogers becoming President of the United States. But, of course, Ultron and the Watcher pay no attention, and the pair eventually enter other worlds. Rogers obviously isn't from the same universe as Ultron, but the villain's presence completely changes his world forever.

Ultron adds a sad meaning to Rogers' presidential moment. In Marvel's Captain America #250, a story by Roger Stern and John Byrne, Rogers turned down a chance at becoming president because it would take away from his heroic duties. According to the character, he can't accept the role of president while the American Dream remains unfulfilled. Since What If...? episode 8 shows Rogers taking on the role, it means his universe likely achieved an unprecedented level of peace. With the world in good hands, Rogers was free to take on the position of commander-in-chief. Unfortunately, Ultron shatters that dream.

After Captain America learns about the threat of Ultron, it's likely goodbye to the presidency for Steve Rogers. Captain America clearly isn't aware of Ultron and the Watcher's presence while he's getting sworn in, which explains why he felt comfortable enough to become president. However, there are several witnesses with phones, so that won't last long. The introduction of a new threat will likely cut Rogers' time in office short. Of course, there's not much Rogers can do while Ultron and the Watcher fight across space and time. However, a minor issue like the Multiverse isn't enough to discourage Captain America.

More: Why Bucky Could Let Captain America Die (But Cap Couldn’t Give Him Up)

Marvel's What If...? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

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