Conspiracy theorists are questioning the legitimacy of President Joe Biden's withdrawal from his re-election campaign.
The 81-year-old president announced he would end his bid for a second term Sunday in a letter posted on his X account, but conservative media outlets and social media users speculated that his signature was forged because it was underlined, and questioned other details about his handwriting.
"One would think that a letter to the American people from the president announcing his decision to step aside would not be signed using a digital signature and would be accompanied by a photo op and a scheduled conference in the morning that followed," posted billionaire investor Bill Ackman.
"Instead we have a digitally signed letter released on the president’s @X account, an account we know that is run by a staffer, no photo, and no live scheduled address to the American people. If I were China, I would invade Taiwan tomorrow."
The conspiracy theorists echoed claims by Sen. J.D. Vance, now Donald Trump's running mate, and other Republicans that Biden had been removed from the race by a "coup."
"At first I didn't think much of this but upon further review, HOLY S--T," said former InfoWars host Owen Shroyer, who was sentenced to 60 days in prison for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection. "This was a legit coup today. It's not his signature. This is a blatant criminal forgery and a coup. Why no word from Biden himself? In the fog of the assassination attempt, the Democrats initiated a coup."
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Pressure had been mounting on Biden to drop out after Democratic lawmakers and donors went on record with their concerns about his age since he appeared frail during his debate against Trump, and he reportedly decided to end his campaign after trusted aides showed him polling Saturday that showed he would likely lose November's election – but conservatives expressed their doubts.
"Remember Joe Biden dropped out the race via a X post he did not make - a letter he did not compose and a signature he did not write," posted right-wing cartoonist Ben Garrison. "Deep State Coup. Remember the day before Joe said he wasn't leaving and then just like that- Joe is out!"
Biden is self-isolating at his Delaware residence after he was diagnosed last week with Covid, but he plans to address the nation later this week about his decision to drop out. He has not yet specified a day.
