President Joe Biden's recent call to former campaign staff has raised questions about his health after an unusual exchange with Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Daily Mail reported that the call comes just days after Biden's isolation due to COVID-19 and his surprising decision to step down from the presidential race was announced on social media.
Joe Biden, from COVID isolation in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, spoke to his staffers on Monday.
At 81 years old, Biden addressed Vice President Kamala Harris with the phrase, "I'm watching you, kid," during the call.
Notably, Kamala Harris referred to Biden during the call, saying "rec..." before correcting herself to "call." This slip has led Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene to speculate if Biden's comments were prerecorded.
Charlie Kirk labeled Harris's slip as "very strange," and Representative Lauren Boebert questioned Biden's location. Meanwhile, campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez's body language during Biden's remarks deepened suspicions of possible prerecorded audio or AI involvement.
Biden has been in COVID isolation since testing positive last week. His doctor, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, reported that Biden's symptoms have almost fully resolved and his vital signs, including oxygen saturation, remain normal.
Since his announcement via social media on Sunday, Biden has remained unseen publicly for five days, last appearing at a U.S. airbase in Dover, Delaware. He plans to return to the White House on Tuesday afternoon.
During the call, Biden expressed regret for not physically supporting his staff due to COVID. "If I didn’t have COVID, I’d be standing there with you," he mentioned.
Boebert demanded a "proof of life" from Biden by 5:00 pm Monday, and Glenn Greenwald criticized Biden's absence, describing it as "strange and wrong" under the important circumstances.
Marjorie Taylor Greene linked Biden's withdrawal to internal power struggles, increasing health concerns after his brother Frank Biden cited illness as a factor. However, a Biden family source dismissed Frank Biden's claims, attributing them to his alcoholism.
Biden’s announcement to withdraw comes at a crucial time for the Democratic party, with Biden endorsing Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Harris's campaign quickly raised $81 million in donations following the announcement.
Despite the surprising news, Biden assured his campaign staff that their jobs are secure, as confirmed by campaign staffer O'Malley Dillon. He also pledged to remain involved in the reelection fight and support Harris’s campaign.
Biden's call included a heartfelt plea for continued support. “I’m hoping you’ll give every bit of your heart and soul that you gave to me to Kamala,” he stated, reaffirming his commitment to stay engaged even after stepping down from the race.
With just six months left of his presidency, Biden emphasized his determination to accomplish as much as possible in both foreign and domestic policy. He assured his team, "So let me be real clear. We're still fighting in this fight together. I'm not going anywhere."
The President’s unexpected withdrawal and the ensuing speculation have undoubtedly stirred public and political reactions.
As uncertainty looms, the nation awaits Biden's return to the public eye and his continued support for Harris’s campaign future.
The peculiar interaction on the call, coupled with Biden’s health and disappearance from public view, continues to feed speculation and concern about the internal dynamics and leadership within the Democratic Party.
