The online political sphere is buzzing with anticipation ahead of the upcoming US presidential debate, with Republican lawmakers and influencers stirring up rumors and conspiracy theories about President Joe Biden. Despite these claims being recycled and baseless, they are gaining traction within certain circles.
Former President Donald Trump recently made headlines with his unfounded allegations that Biden will be “jacked up” on performance-enhancing drugs before the debate. This rhetoric mirrors past claims made by Trump against both Biden and Hillary Clinton in previous election cycles. The Trump campaign seems to be invested in controlling the narrative surrounding the debate, with Trump’s former White House physician, Ronny Jackson, even calling for Biden to undergo a drug test before the event.
Other politicians have also joined in on speculating about Biden’s performance, with Missouri Representative Eric Burlison suggesting that Biden might be “jacked up on Mountain Dew” come debate time. This kind of conspiracy-mongering has spread like wildfire across platforms like X and Telegram, where pro-Trump influencers are amplifying these baseless claims.
In certain corners of the internet, the rumors have taken an even wilder turn, with allegations that Biden may bow out of the debate for medical reasons, leading to the appointment of a new Democratic nominee or invoking the 25th Amendment. However, there is no credible evidence to support any of these outlandish claims.
As the debate draws near, it is crucial to sift through the noise and focus on the true issues at hand. Let’s not let conspiracy theories overshadow the importance of informed, substantive discourse in our political landscape.