The Republican Web ecosystem is in overdrive forward of the primary US presidential debate. Lawmakers and influencers are pushing wild conspiracy theories about President Joe Biden, and as a substitute of arising with one thing new, they’re recycling drained previous accusations which have already been debunked, together with claims that Biden was “enhanced” on performance-enhancing medication productiveness.
“He is sleeping now as a result of they wish to make him good and robust,” former President Donald Trump stated of Biden at a marketing campaign rally final weekend, with out offering any proof. “So he will get shot within the ass shortly earlier than the controversy. They wish to strengthen it. I might say it will come out in its entirety.”
It is an virtually precise repeat of an announcement Trump made at a rally in 2020, when he claimed Biden would get a “huge fats kick within the ass” to debate “higher than ever.” Trump additionally made an identical assertion towards Hillary Clinton in 2016. Trump additionally urged Biden to take a drug check earlier than the occasion, which he additionally did in 2020.
Trump’s feedback seem like a part of a broader effort by the Trump marketing campaign to regulate the net narrative surrounding the controversy.
Trump’s former White Home doctor, Ronny Jackson, posted on X: “DRUG TEST BIDEN BEFORE DEBATE! Will we see Sleepy Joe residing within the basement of the White Home or will we see Joe showing on the State Convention???”
Jackson additionally spoke to Fox Enterprise’ Maria Bartirama, who helped spin the baseless conspiracy. In the course of the interview, Jackson went even additional, suggesting why Biden and his group have been sitting at Camp David forward of the controversy:
“Biden’s going to be at Camp David for a complete week earlier than the controversy and … they’re in all probability experimenting with the best doses, getting him treatment earlier than the controversy,” stated Jackson, who’s at the moment working for Congress in Texas with Trump’s assist .
Different politicians additionally spoke.
“I believe the Trump group should not underestimate Joe Biden and his group’s capacity to get him up Mount Dew or no matter,” Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison advised Fox Enterprise, including: “Look, the State of the Union is in a 12 months, he had loads of vitality for an hour or a half.’
The professional-Trump community, right-wing influencers on X and Telegram picked up the conspiracy in droves, sharing clips of Trump’s feedback and interviews with Jackson and Burlison.
Within the Telegram conspiracy channels, influencers are making even wilder accusations concerning the debate, together with many various claims that Biden goes to withdraw from the controversy for medical causes and that both a brand new Democratic candidate can be elected or the twenty fifth Modification and Vice -President Kamala Harris will develop into President. There isn’t any proof to assist these claims.