Conservatives Suggest Biden May Be Dying; Fact-Checkers Push Back
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Rumors have spread that President Joe Biden’s health condition may be more severe than the official account of his COVID-19 diagnosis.
The Claim: Conservative pundit Charlie Kirk (Right bias) reported speaking to a source close to Las Vegas police who said that Biden’s Vegas trip last week was not cut short due to COVID but a health emergency that required him to be flown immediately to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland. Kirk wrote, “Apparently the rumor mill in the police department was that Joe Biden was dying or possibly already dead.”
For Context: Conservative commentator Laura Loomer also claimed Biden is dying in a post on X that’s been viewed over 20 million times. Tuesday afternoon around 2 ET, Biden was seen boarding Air Force One in Delaware.
Fact Checks: In a news article Tuesday, The New York Times (Lean Left bias) described “doubts that President Biden is alive” as “baseless.” A news article from Newsweek (Center bias) called the claim “unsubstantiated rumors without credible evidence.”
White House Report: In an official report released on Monday, Biden's doctor, Kevin O'Connor, stated, “President Biden completed his tenth dose of Paxlovid this morning. His symptoms have almost resolved completely.”
How The Media Covered It: Newsweek described Kirk as someone “who has a history of promoting questionable theories.” The Times said the theory that Biden might be dead “adds to a torrent of falsehoods and misleading posts by right-wing influencers that have spread since Mr. Biden’s announcement.” Editor's Note: This story was updated to feature coverage from The Daily Mail, and a video of Biden boarding Air Force One.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
Missing Biden triggers slew of memes as online conspiracy theorists spread rumors lame duck president, 81, is in a hospice![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right AllSides Media Bias Rating: Right](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-right.png)
Joe Biden's continued absence after announcing he's standing down as presidential candidate have sparked a slew of memes - and rumors he's in a hospice.
The 81-year-old has not been seen in six days or since he dropped out of his bid for reelection, with aides explaining that he'd 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 quickly be announced to...
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Far Right Spreads Baseless Claims About Biden’s Whereabouts![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left AllSides Media Bias Rating: Lean Left](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-leaning-left.png)
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Many conspiracy theorists and far-right commentators are spreading doubts that President Biden is alive after he posted a letter on Sunday resigning from his presidential campaign.
The theory is baseless. Mr. Biden, who learned he had Covid on July 17 and has been in isolation since, called into a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday, and the two exchanged praise and playful banter.
“Joe, are you watching? You hear this clapping? Can you see it?” Ms. Harris asked the president. As the room echoed with applause, Mr....
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Joe Biden 'Hospice Care' Claims: What We Know![AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center AllSides Media Bias Rating: Center](https://www.allsides.com/sites/default/files/bias-center.png)
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Right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk has posted a rumor that President Joe Biden had a medical emergency in Las Vegas last week and may be in hospice care. This claim contradicted the official account of the president's COVID-19 diagnosis, and has sparked widespread speculation, but what are the facts?
Kirk, who has a history of promoting questionable theories, shared the rumor Monday on X, formerly Twitter. He wrote: "Got a weird lead on a story that people should look into. I got a call from a source close to Las Vegas Metro. The official story...
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