Online doom-mongers continue to pedal claims that the Nibiru or Planet X system is heading towards the earth, despite a number of previously predicted passing dates in September, October, and this month coming and going without incident.

So-called Nibiru truthers claim there is a global elite conspiracy to hide the truth from the general population while they seek refuge in secret underground bunkers.

The Nibiru myth emerged in 1976, when writer Zecharia Sitchin claimed two ancient Middle Eastern cultures, the Babylonians and Sumerians, told of a giant planet dubbed Nibiru which orbited the Sun.

And the Nibiru or Planet X theory claims a mini solar system consisting of a sun, planets and moons is lurking on the edge of our system with a huge 3,600 miles orbit of the sun.

They say the planet will cause the poles to switch, sparking great earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

At the forefront of the myth is American author David Meade, who promotes books about Nibiru as he writes about the theory.

In an article on conspiracy theory website Planexnews.com, he suggested Mr Trump was not told the truth by "secretive government leaders" who really pull the strings.

He said: "Does the President know? He is almost assuredly on a need-to-know basis. 

"In other words, they are not telling him until the last minute. He is in the dark now. Does he have options? Yes. 

"Does he need to know? Absolutely. There are major repercussions if he doesn’t know."

Mr Meade went onto suggest a series of underground bunkers were ready and waiting for the ruling classes to retreat to once Nibiru nears.

Mr Meade also insinuated that the British secret intelligence could be behind an attempt to discredit his latest book, The End of Days – Planet X & Beyond which he described as 'the most important book of the century," as nonsense.

He added: "Friends of mine have indicated to me that there exists a small minority of fringe elements who have commented in an irrational fashion about my book. 

"Despite the fact it is a classic, containing enormously important and valuable information, why would my book be attacked? 

"It contains the most important revelation of the century.

"It’s by far the most important story and most important book of the century.

"Well, negativism could be for several reasons. One is that as in the days of the propaganda machine under Adolf Hitler, books containing brilliantly-analysed truth were destroyed or burned. 

"This same spirit could be prevalent today. 

"Who are these trolls? Some have suggested probably paid trolls–GCHQ, perhaps."

NASA insists that conspiracy theorists like Mr Meade are completely wrong, and the Nibiru myth is an internet hoax.

NASA scientist Dr David Morrison said: "There is no credible evidence whatever for the existence of Nibiru. 

“There are no pictures, no tracking, no astronomical observations.

"I can quite specifically say how we know Planet X or Nibiru does not exist and does not threaten Earth.

“Firstly, if there was a planet headed into the inner solar system that was going to come close to the Earth, it would already be inside the orbit of Mars, it would be bright, it would be easily visible to the naked eye - if it was up there it would be easy to see it, all of us could see it." 

Space boffin Dr Brian Cox has also insisted Planet X does not exist.

And associate Professor Jonti Horner, an astronomer at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, said: "I’ve never heard of anybody who’s an actual astronomer talk about Nibiru before. 

"It’s basically an urban myth — it’s like having a biologist coming out and talking about werewolves and the Sasquatch being real. You just wouldn’t hear it.”

Express.co.uk has contacted Mr Meade and asked him if he accepts he could have got it wrong about Nibiru, but he did not respond.