Joe Biden’s continued absence after announcing he will step down has sparked a series of memes and rumors that he is in a hospice.
The 81-year-old has not been seen in six days or since he dropped out of his re-election bid, with aides saying he had tested positive for COVID.
Concerns have already been raised about his health, with wild suggestions that Biden is seriously ill or even dead. The president’s health is a matter of national security, so any illness or death would be quickly announced to inform Americans of who was taking over.
But the current void of information regarding his whereabouts and current physical condition has caused conspiracy theorists to inundate X with memes about his disappearance.
Images of Biden have been superimposed on milk cartons as a “missing presidential candidate” and others have compared it to the “Where’s Wally?” puzzle series.
The 81-year-old has not been seen in six days or since he dropped out of his re-election bid largely because he tested positive for Covid-19.
The information vacuum surrounding his whereabouts and current physical condition has caused conspiracy theorists to inundate X with memes about his disappearance.
The commander in chief made a phone call to campaign staff Monday from COVID isolation at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware home.
In a hoarse voice, he told those gathered there, alongside his vice president, Kamala Harris: “I’m looking at you, kid.”
He pledged to remain involved in the re-election fight and said he would continue campaigning for Harris while speaking on the speakerphone.
However, the new Democratic nominee appeared to fan the flames surrounding Biden’s health during the call.
Harris said, “Joe, I know you’re still in the review… on the call,” prompting Republican activist Marjorie Taylor Greene to wonder if Harris had given away the game.
Greene was referring to Harris clearly beginning to say the word “recording” before correcting herself and saying “calling” Biden.
“Did Kamala spill the beans? Was it a recording? That’s what she started saying,” Greene said Monday.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk called it “a very strange slip” that also caught the attention of Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.
Concerns have already been raised about his health, with wild suggestions that Biden is seriously ill based on the way he announced his departure.
Images of Biden have been superimposed on milk cartons as a “missing presidential candidate” and others have compared it to the “Where’s Wally?” puzzle series.
The Colorado representative, who has been one of the most curious about Biden’s absence, asked: “Where’s Joe?” She then demanded “proof of life” by 5 p.m. Monday, fueling the rumor that Biden had died.
Left-wing journalist Glenn Greenwald joined the fray, insisting that while he is not a conspiracy theorist, the way Biden ended his campaign and his subsequent absence from the airwaves was strange.
On Monday, the president’s doctor issued a letter saying Biden was almost completely cured of his symptoms.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor wrote in his letter that her pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature remained normal.
A call Joe Biden made to former campaign staffers in Delaware ahead of Kamala Harris’ speech has some speculating it was fake after an awkward moment between Biden and Harris.
Biden’s health appears to be what ultimately ended his campaign, after a disastrous televised debate against Donald Trump, 78, last month.
Concerns about Biden’s well-being were exacerbated Sunday after his younger brother said illness had been a factor in his decision to step down.
Frank Biden told CBS: “I’m incredibly proud of my brother. Selfishly, I’m going to bring him back to enjoy whatever time we have left.”
That choice of phrase prompted some to talk about a possible terminal illness.
But a Biden family source poured hot water on Frank’s claims. “Frank Biden suffers from alcoholism and hasn’t spoken to his brother in weeks,” the source said. “What he said… is completely false.”
A leading Parkinson’s disease specialist has visited the White House several times this year, though officials have insisted Biden is in good health.
