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RESEARCH/STUDY

Biden suspended his campaign and right-wing media responded with conspiracy theories

Conservatives demanded proof the president was still alive, claimed Biden was a “hostage” in a “soft coup,” and even suggested his decision was part of an “inside job” to assassinate Trump

WRITTEN BY JACK WINSTANLEY

PUBLISHED 07/26/24

Following President Joe Biden’s announcement that he was suspending his 2024 reelection campaign, right-wing media figures pushed wild conspiracy theories alleging that the president did not make the decision himself or that it was a backup plan to defeat Donald Trump after the failed assassination attempt against the former president. Conservative media figures repeatedly asked for “proof of life,” claimed Biden was being held “hostage,” and even suggested that Biden's withdrawal letter was forged.

• ## President Joe Biden suspended his reelection campaign
• • On June 21, Biden announced that he would no longer seek reelection and would serve out the remainder of his term. Shortly after sharing a letter announcing that he was dropping out of the race, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee. NBC News, [7/21/24]

• • Biden gave an Oval Office Address about his decision to end his reelection campaign on July 24 — his first public address since announcing the decision while recovering from COVID-19. Biden returned to the White House on July 23 after spending time recovering at his residence in Delaware. News of the president's illness added fuel to the ongoing conversation about his age and fitness for office. NPR, [7/24/24; The Associated Press, 7/22/24; CNN, 7/18/24]

• ## Right-wing media figures speculated that the withdrawal letter signaled that Biden had actually died
• • On Infowars, Alex Jones asked, “Did they kill Biden?” after showing a printed copy of Biden's announcement letter. He added that “that’s a very serious question in this climate that you’ve got to ask,” then likened the situation to the movie Weekend at Bernie’s. Infowars, *The Alex Jones Show*, [7/22/24]
  • The following day, Jones doubled down and claimed that Biden was “basically being held inside that Delaware encampment while the deep state goes around and secures who’ll be in what position.” He also stated that Biden “sounded like he’s on death’s doorstep, and/or it was AI or something,” while calling into an event after contracting COVID and that “most people think he’s dead.” Infowars, *The Alex Jones Show*, [7/23/24]
  • Fox News anchor Dana Perino asked for “proof of life” while discussing Biden’s withdrawal. She explained, “You can forgive people for wondering if we are living Weekend at Bernie's right now.” Fox News, *Fox News Central*, [7/21/24]
  • Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk asked, “Can we get a proof of life of Joe Biden?” while reacting to the announcement of his withdrawal. Kirk went on to imply that Biden was removed from the campaign, calling the situation a “soft coup.” Real America’s Voice, *The Charlie Kirk Show*, [7/22/24]
  • Following Biden’s announcement, conspiracy theorist Stew Peters posted videos of the president at public events, adding, “The real question is how long has Joe Biden been dead?” Twitter/X, [7/22/24; Media Matters, 3/13/23]

* Sean Davis, CEO and co-founder of conservative outlet The Federalist, commented that Biden has “made no public appearance” since he dropped out of the race, adding, “Also: do we have any evidence Biden is even alive right now?” His post then claimed, “This is banana republic insanity.” Twitter/X, [7/21/24]

• • Former Trump lawyer and podcast host Jenna Ellis seemingly suggested that Biden had died, stating, “Americans deserve proof of life for our current President.” Twitter/X, [7/22/24]

• • Pro-Trump lawyer Harmeet Dillon asked in a social media post, “Would anyone else here like to know the whereabouts and current health status of President Biden?” Twitter/X, [7/21/24]

• • An article by The Federalist stated that Biden “is supposedly dealing with a Covid infection, has yet to be seen alive.” The article added, “If Joe Biden is coherent enough to govern a global superpower for another six months, he can tell Americans about his decision to their faces.” The Federalist, [7/22/24]

• ## Some right-wing media figures claimed that Biden's withdrawal letter was forged or even evidence of a “coup”
• • Trump ally Laura Loomer claimed “Biden didn’t even write this letter” and postulated that “the signature is likely forged on the letter as well.” She also claimed that Democrats “are pretending to be Joe Biden whose corpse is literally rotting away inside the White House,” and that he “is too cognitively damaged to write a letter or comprehend what is going on.” Twitter/X, [7/21/24; Media Matters, 2/1/24]

• • On his Rumble livestream, Donald Trump Jr. speculated that Biden had been pressured into dropping out of the race, asking, “What did they bribe him with? What did they promise? Or perhaps more likely, what did they threaten him with?” Rumble, *Triggered with Donald Trump Jr.*, [7/22/24]

• • Right-wing podcast host Benny Johnson claimed that portions of the letter showed that Biden is “a hostage right now” and that he “did not want to write this.” YouTube, *The Benny Johnson Show*, [7/21/24]

• • Right-wing commentator Mike Crispi claimed of the letter that Biden “didn’t write a word of it” and “doesn’t realize what was written for him.” Crispi also claimed that Biden did not get 81 million votes in 2020, saying, “The ‘81 million votes’ lie will be the greatest scam in the history of our country.” Twitter/X, [7/21/24; USA Today, 12/19/23]

• • Right-wing personality Alex Lorusso (known online as ALX) shared Biden’s announcement and several pictures of Biden’s signature, asking, “Can anyone find another example of Joe Biden underlining his signature?” Twitter/X, [7/21/24; Media Matters, 11/22/22]

• • Infowars host Owen Shroyer shared a graphic comparing Biden’s signature from the announcement with a number of executive orders, noting the announcement was “blatant criminal forgery.” Shroyer also claimed that the withdrawal announcement “was a legit coup” and asked “why no word from Biden himself?” Twitter/X, [7/22/24]

• • John Sabal (known online as “QAnon John”) claimed in a social media post that “we IN FACT lived through a COUP” and that “NEVER before has there been a time where a Sitting President steps down & leaves nothing but a note.” He also shared a graphic comparing Biden’s signature from the announcement letter with several executive orders, adding, “One more thing…Biden did NOT sign that letter.” Gab, [7/22/24; Business Insider, 10/16/20]

• • Right-wing social media personality Amuse also cast doubt on the authenticity of the announcement, asking, “Why didn’t Biden use official stationary? Why does Biden’s signature look forged? Where is Joe?” Twitter/X, [7/22/24]

• • Former Fox News producer Kyle Becker said the signature was “suspect” because Biden’s name was underlined and said the “letter not on official letterhead.” Twitter/X, [7/21/24]

• • BlazeTV host Sara Gonzalez compared a previous signature from Biden with the signature on the announcement letter, adding, “Did Joe really sign this?” Twitter/X, [7/21/24]

• ## Some right-wing media figures speculated that the timing of Biden’s withdrawal indicated it was somehow connected to the attempted assassination of Trump

• • The Federalist’s Sean Davis: “Biden didn’t drop out of the race until after the attempts to imprison and assassinate Donald Trump failed. Do you think that is coincidence?” Twitter/X, [7/21/24]

• • Replying to Biden’s announcement, Trump ally Laura Loomer stated, “Now you all see why they tried to assassinate Donald Trump. This was all planned.” Twitter/X, [7/21/24]

• • Loomer also claimed, “The only reason @JoeBiden is dropping out today is because his administration plotted an assassination of Donald Trump and missed.” Loomer continued: “It’s a lot easier to drop out over ‘peer pressure’ and an illness than to be forced to resign once the American people learn all about how the Biden admin plotted to put a bullet in Donald Trump’s head. This is why he dropped out the day before the Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle was supposed to testify tomorrow in front of Congress. Now the media will be distracted. The cover up of the Biden admin’s and Deep State’s plot to assassinate Donald Trump is in full swing now. We can’t let them get away with this.” Twitter/X, [7/21/24]

• • Loomer also posted: “I said @JoeBiden would get diagnosed with an illness and then drop out right before @SecretService Director Kim Cheatle was set to testify before Congress about the inside job plot to assassinate President Trump.” Twitter/X, [7/21/24]

• • Pro-Trump social media personality Phillip Buchanan, known online as Catturd: “Joe dropped out because Democrats were desperate to change the Trump surging news cycle and the truth coming out about the obvious inside job assassination attempt.” Twitter/X, [7/21/24; Daily Dot, 7/25/23]

• • Right-wing commentator Bill Mitchell, who has repeatedly pushed conspiracy theories, posted, “Biden was waiting to see if the Trump assassination succeeded. When it failed, he was done.” Twitter/X, [7/21/24; Media Matters, 6/27/24]

• • Right-wing figure Paul Ingrassia: “The Deep State’s agenda to stop Trump: 1. Beat him in the polls = failed. 2. Convict and jail him = failed. 3. Assassinate him = failed. 4. Replace Biden = about to fail. Crazy times we’re living in. There’s no stopping President Trump!”Twitter/X, [7/21/24]

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mma

right-wing media’s playbook for attacking Kamala Harris: A flood of misogyny and racism

Right-wing media spared no time in hurling racist and sexist attacks against the likely Democratic presidential candidate

WRITTEN BY PAYTON ARMSTRONG, CHARIS HOARD & EMMA MAE WEBER

PUBLISHED 07/23/24

Since President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential election and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, right-wing media have launched sexist and racist attacks at Harris to try to diminish her qualifications. They’ve claimed that she can’t be president because she doesn’t have biological children, labeled her “the ultimate diversity, equity, and inclusion candidate,” fixated on her laugh, claimed that she promotes "the occult,” and likened her to “Jezebel.”

• ## Biden suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Harris on July 21

• • In a statement released on July 21, Biden suspended his presidential campaign after weeks of calls to step down from top Democrats.Weeks after a poor debate performance and amid mounting pressure to step aside, Biden announced he would serve the remainder of his term, and he subsequently endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination for president, thanking her for being an “extraordinary partner.” Bloomberg, [7/21/24; The Hill, 7/19/24]

• • Harris announced her official bid for the presidency hours after Biden's suspension, with multiple Democratic lawmakers expressing their support.Harris asserted in a statement that “my intention is to earn and win this nomination.” The Associated Press, [7/21/24]

• ## Right-wing media have attacked Harris over her race and gender for years

• • Right-wing media have lobbed racist and sexist attacks at Harris for years, calling her a “DEI hire” who “gets more favorable treatment because of her race and gender.” Right-wing figures have also referred to Harris as an example of ”why DEI doesn’t work" and claimed she “launched her political career in [the] bedroom.” Media Matters, [7/3/24, 7/11/24]

• ## Right-wing media sexualized Harris and diminished her accomplishments with sexist attacks

• • Infowars host Alex Jones called Harris a “fleshlight.” When speculating about a Hillary Clinton ticket, Jones said, “So don't think they won't try to push Kamala out and put her in, or have Kamala, who's dumber than a box of rocks, she's basically a fleshlight, put Hillary on as her VP. And boy if she does that, she’s gonna get JFK’d.” Infowars, *The Alex Jones Show*, [7/22/24]

• • Daily Wire founder Ben Shapiro said that Harris has “never earned anything,” claiming that she got “handed her original post in California state government because she was sleeping with Willie Brown.”Shapiro went on to claim that “she lucked into her job as attorney general of the state and then from there, she really lucked into her job as senator. … Then she proceeded to luck into her job as vice president. Earn and win the nomination. She’s not earning and winning anything. She’s inheriting it.” The Daily Wire, *The Ben Shapiro Show*, [7/21/24]

• • Right-wing influencer Dom Lucre shared a photo of Harris and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown with the caption, “How did Kamala Harris become our Vice President? I heard she has always been a suck up to wealthy Democrats.”In a similar post, Lucre also jeered, “Kamala Harris started her career on her knees how can we trust her to stand up for this country?” Twitter/X, [7/22/24, 7/22/24; The New York Times, 1/14/21]

• • Trump ally Roger Stone posted: “Kamala Harris campaign now selling official campaign kneepads.” Twitter/X, [7/21/24]

• • Rumble host and Trump ally Laura Loomer said that Harris “was once an escort and … she got her career started giving blow jobs to successful, rich, black men,” including Willie Brown and Montel Williams.In a now-unavailable post on X (formerly Twitter), Loomer said that Harris performed a sex act on Brown “while he was a married man in exchange for political power. Here she is ‘dating’’ @Montel_Williams in 2001, who appears to be holding hands with more than one woman at the same time on the red carpet.” The woman who Williams was holding hands with in 2001 was his daughter, and he was separated from his wife when he and Harris dated. The Wrap, [7/22/24; The Associated Press, 7/22/24]

• • OutKick host Clay Travis said Kamala Harris “got her start in politics by sex as a mistress of a married man.”He also attacked Kamala for not having kids, saying, “If you're a married woman with kids, if you're a grandma with kids, do you have any respect for the woman who is the mistress of the married man and never even became his second wife and had kids with him on her own?” OutKick, *OutKick The Show with Clay Travis*, [7/22/24]

• ## Right-wing media both called Harris the “DEI candidate” and questioned her Blackness

• • Daily Wire host Matt Walsh said Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee would be “a poetic way for us to end this year of reckoning with the madness of DEI.” Walsh then went on to call Harris “sort of Black,” saying she “lacks the IQ and the competence to lead this country” and claiming she has “never earned anything through her own merit.” The Daily Wire, *The Matt Walsh Show*, [7/22/24]

• • OutKick host Clay Travis claimed that Harris “failed her way up” and is “the ultimate diversity, equity, and inclusion candidate.” Travis also asserted that ”we just saw what DEI does, at the Secret Service; it nearly gets the president killed," in reference to the attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump last week. Outkick, *Outkick The Show with Clay Travis*, [7/21/24; Media Matters, 7/15/24]

• • Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk said Harris was chosen because of “the same criteria of DEI that got Trump shot.”Kirk also said, “You could not have a better example of the worst aspects of the country or the Democrat party. But now — that's where she is. She is a DEI candidate.” Real America’s Voice, *The Charlie Kirk Show*, [7/22/24]

• • Fixating on Harris’ race and gender, Fox contributor Tammy Bruce warned that the fear of being called racist or sexist will be weaponized by the Democratic Party, claiming their approach is like domestic violence.Bruce said Democrats will turn to “more identity politics. There will be more accusations. There will be accusations that if you don't like Kamala — we’ve already heard it — you are a sexist and you are a racist and you’re everything else. … It’s a way to control you. Where it’s dangerous to speak up, dangerous to contradict the masters of the universe out there, where you will do as you are told or you will be punished. It is very similar to the nature of domestic violence. It is domestic violence writ large.” Fox News, *Hannity*, [7/22/24]

• • Right-wing personality Rob Smith, who has been a Turning Point USA contributor, called Harris the “DEI soon-to-be nominee for President.”Twitter/X, [7/22/24; Fox News, accessed 7/22/24]

• • Newsmax host Sebastian Gorka said that Harris “very well might be the first DEI president.”Gorka added that Harris “is literally a DEI hire, a woman who laughs about little yellow school buses and Venn diagrams, who cackles like an insane woman.” Newsmax, *Newsmax broadcast*, [7/21/24]

• • On Newsmax, guest Chris Kohls mispronounced Harris’ first name and questioned, “Is she Black? Is she Indian? Nobody knows.”Host Sebastian Gorka replied that it’s not racist to mispronounce Harris’ name if we “work out how her slave-owning Jamaican ancestors pronounced that name.” Newsmax, *Rob Schmitt Tonight,* [7/22/24]

• • Newsmax guest Joel Gilbert said Harris “has no common experiences with Black Americans.”Gilbert, author of a book that speculates Michelle Obama will run for president, continued, ”She doesn't even bring the African American vote that they've hemorrhaged to Donald Trump because she's not African American. Her mother is from India. Her father's from Jamaica. She grew up in Canada, and she married a white Jewish guy." Newsmax, *Greg Kelly Reports*, [7/21/24]

• • YourVoice America's Bill Mitchell: “Kamala Harris never ran as a black woman until 2020.” Twitter/X, [7/22/24]

• ## Right-wing media also claimed that Harris can’t be president because she has no biological children

• • Article III Project senior counsel Will Chamberlain asserted that the “really simple, underdiscussed reason why Kamala Harris shouldn’t be President” is because she has “no children.”(While Harris has no biological children, she became the stepmother of Cole and Ella Emhoff when she married second gentleman Doug Emhoff in 2014.) Twitter/X, [7/21/24; Today, 7/19/24]

• • Laura Loomer said: “A woman who has no biological children of her own should not be allowed to make decisions in the White House for your children.”Loomer also attacked Harris' passion for reproductive justice, jeering “Republicans need to … ask why a woman with no kids of her own and just a scarred up uterus is so obsessed with wanting to kill your babies." Twitter/X, [7/22/24]

• • While listing reasons why Harris shouldn’t be president, OutKick’s Clay Travis noted that Harris “doesn't have any kids of her own.”He also called Harris a “side chick” who “got her start in politics by banging Willie Brown” and said he doesn’t think Harris will “really motivate Black voters very well, particularly Black men.” OutKick, OutKick The Show with Clay Travis, [7/21/24]

• ## Right-wing media fixated on Harris’ laugh, saying she sounds like a “giggling idiot” and a “hyena”

• • Fox host Sean Hannity said Harris is facing a “likability crisis” and voters “detest” Harris because of her laugh. He then characterized Harris as “your giggling vice president.” Fox News, *Hannity*, [7/21/24]

• • Fox analyst Brit Hume said that “you can argue a great many Americans think Harris is a giggling idiot, there’s no doubt about that.” Fox News, *Fox News Live*, [7/21/24]

• • Roger Stone posted an attack ad from Make America Great Again Inc.and wrote, “Lying, hyena-laughing Kamala.”Twitter, [7/21/24]

• ## Right-wing media launched other bizarre attacks, including likening Harris to “Jezebel” and accusing her of promoting “the occult”

• • Right-wing commentator and self-described prophet Lance Wallnau said that Harris “represents something which I believe is probably the amalgam of the spirit of Jezebel in a way that will be even more ominous than Hillary because she'll bring a racial component and she's younger.”Twitter/X, [7/22/24; Rolling Stone, 9/29/22]

• • Right-wing pundit James Lindsay claimed that Harris’ repetition of the statement “to see what can be, unburdened by what has been” is “occult” and “it's a Marxist and Luciferian incantation.”Twitter/X, [7/21/24]

• • On her radio show, former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis endorsed Lindsay’s analysis, declaring that Harris “is advancing not just cultural Marxism, but paganism and the occult.”Ellis complained that “this is who is going to be likely the Democrat nominee. … If we are going to genuinely claim being a Christian nation and advancing policy that is based in and rooted in a biblical worldview or if we are going to elect someone in November that is specifically, intentionally, and obviously pushing for a Luciferian incantation and the occult.” American Family Radio, *Jenna Ellis in the Morning*, [7/22/24]

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