Billionaire Bill Ackman has sparked intense controversy by sharing alarming theories regarding President Joe Biden's health.
The Daily Mail reported that Ackman's claims follow Biden's decision to step down from the 2024 presidential race, prompting widespread debate and speculation.
On his X account, Bill Ackman, previously a significant Democratic donor, shared numerous posts about President Joe Biden's health.
Ackman suggested that Biden might be terminally ill, a claim that has caused a significant stir.
The speculation escalated after Biden announced he would not run for re-election, citing health reasons. Ackman pointed to Biden's letter and questioned its authenticity, suggesting the signature looked photocopied.
Adding to the controversy were comments made by Biden's youngest brother, Frank Biden. Frank's remarks about "enjoying whatever time we have left" were seen by many as further evidence of the president's declining health.
Frank Biden's public comments caused many to question if Joe Biden's health concerns were more serious than initially thought. Ackman went on to contrast past signatures of Biden, noting they often did not include an underline, unlike the letter's signature.
Ackman also shared a post drawing parallels between the unverified signature and Soviet Regime Change tactics. This comparison further fueled conspiracy theories surrounding Biden's letter and decision to step down.
Frank Biden tried to quell fears by praising his brother, stating, "I'm incredibly proud of my brother. Selfishly, I will have him back to enjoy whatever time we have left." Despite his attempts, the speculation continued to grow.
Joe Biden's letter announcing his decision to withdraw was shared on social media on a Sunday afternoon. At the time, Biden was isolating due to a Covid-19 diagnosis, which some speculated might have influenced his decision.
There were more factors at play beyond Biden's health. Democratic donors had started withdrawing funds, and internal campaign polls showed a decreasing chance of Biden beating former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
On the day of the announcement, several of Biden's advisers, including Steve Ricchetti and Mike Donilon, presented data indicating he could no longer win against Trump. This revelation was a crucial factor in Biden's decision to step down.
With Biden out of the race, Vice President Kamala Harris declared her candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination. Prominent Democrats, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, quickly rallied behind Harris.
Despite Trump's remark that Harris would be easier to defeat than Biden, national polls showed a tight race. Harris trailed Biden slightly in national polling averages, with Biden leading 48% to Harris's 46%.
Notably, Harris performed better than Biden in key swing states, such as Pennsylvania and Virginia. She was also closer to Trump in Pennsylvania and led by a larger margin than Biden in Virginia.
These poll numbers were collected before an assassination attempt on Trump and prior to Biden's withdrawal from the race, which could shift the dynamics further.
The speculation surrounding President Joe Biden's health has stirred significant debate, fueled largely by billionaire Bill Ackman's public posts. Ackman's claims and Frank Biden's comments added to the speculation about the president's well-being.
Biden's decision to step down amid declining polling numbers, withdrawing donor funds, and health concerns has reshaped the Democratic primary race, with Vice President Kamala Harris stepping in and prominent Democrats voicing their support.