Trump Fuels Conspiracy Firestorm by Echoing Claims That Biden Has Been Replaced by a Clone
In a stunning turn that underscores the perils of political misinformation, former President Donald Trump has once again grabbed headlines—this time for amplifying a wild conspiracy theory claiming President Joe Biden is no longer alive and has been replaced by a body double or clone.
The incident unfolded just days after a grave health update from Biden’s medical team. On May 18, the White House announced that the president had been diagnosed with an aggressive, advanced form of prostate cancer, with a Gleason score of 9, indicating Grade Group 5 disease that had metastasized to the bones.
Despite the seriousness of the condition, physicians emphasized that the cancer is hormone-sensitive and can be treated effectively.
President Biden addressed the diagnosis publicly, sharing a heartfelt message of resilience alongside a photo with First Lady Jill Biden. His message highlighted the shared pain so many families experience through cancer and thanked Americans for their outpouring of support.
Initially, Trump responded with apparent sympathy via a post on his Truth Social platform, wishing Biden a swift recovery. But the tone didn’t last. Soon after, Trump pivoted, calling Biden “vicious” and questioning whether Americans should sympathize with a man he blames for a “radical political agenda.”
The situation escalated further when Trump reshared a post from an obscure user claiming Biden had died in 2020 and was replaced by a robotic double or clone. The bizarre claim—suggesting that “soulless, mindless entities” were parading as the president—immediately went viral. While some social media users mocked the post as absurd and irresponsible, others lauded Trump for “saying what many believe.”
Critics were quick to denounce Trump’s signal-boosting of the conspiracy theory as reckless and inflammatory, especially given his influential platform. They accused him of exploiting Biden’s health struggles for political gain and further polarizing an already fractured public discourse.
This episode underscores the ease with which falsehoods and conspiracy theories can gain traction when given legitimacy by high-profile figures. It also highlights the stark contrast between Biden’s public handling of a personal health crisis and Trump’s unpredictable rhetoric.
As the 2024 election cycle heats up, the line between political critique and outright fabrication continues to blur—raising pressing concerns about truth, accountability, and the impact of misinformation on democracy.