Conspiracy theorists genuinely believe Joe Biden has been 'replaced' after seeing him in new video

Another day, another wild conspiracy theory surrounding US politics.

July 2024 has been one of the most prolific months for politics in the history of the United States.

President Biden speaks to the nation on Wednesday. Credit: Pool / Getty

From Donald Trump miraculously surviving an attempt on his life to President Joe Biden stepping aside and announcing that he will no longer be seeking reelection in the 2024 presidential election.

Throw in Kamala Harris becoming the frontrunner to be the Democratic presidential nominee and J.D Vance being named as Trump's running mate - and it's safe to say that there has been plenty to talk about around the water cooler this month.

Sadly, as has become the case with anything on social media these days, the conspiracy theories haven't been far behind.

We've already seen people people on X convinced that the attack on Donald Trump in Pennsylvania was "staged" or that an FBI agent in disguise was sat behind the former POTUS, and now, new theories have emerged about President Biden.

The 81-year-old President has been away from the public eye for several days after testing positive for Covid.

Joe and Jill Biden during the President's address to the nation. Credit: Pool / Getty

Last night, speaking from the White House, Biden addressed the US people, saying that although he felt his record as president "merited a second term", nothing should "come in the way of saving our democracy".

Following the address, a video shows Biden and the First Lady exiting the White House to cheers and applause from supporters.

It is this video that has caused such a stir with conspiracy theorists - with people convinced that Biden looks "taller" in the video, which is "proof" that he has been replaced.

"Biden grew a few inches while he was missing for five days…" one person tweeted.

A second added: "Can someone research why the new strain of Covid Biden contracted makes you like 5 inches taller?!"

A third wrote: "Nope, I will never believe this is Joe Biden. This man is taller and walks normal."

"We saw that too it was pretty noticeable that he's a lot taller than straighter there's no way that's Joe Biden." added a fourth.

The tweets go on and on. A couple of the posts were shared by fact-checker and BBC Verified journalist Shayan Sardarizadeh on X.

Writing alongside screenshots of people spouting the theory, Sardarizadeh said: "Following the torrent of 'Biden has died' claims over the last few days, we are now at the 'Biden has been replaced by a taller body double' phase of the conspiracy."

(Sardarizadeh was referring to yet another conspiracy that Biden had "died", which - again, - is false.)

Of course, there is absolutely zero evidence that President Joe Biden has been replaced by a body double.

Another person reasoned: "Almost nostalgic to see right-wingers this confused by cameras. No, it's nothing to do with the angle. No, I've never heard of lenses.

"Straight to Biden has been replaced by a slightly taller version of Biden."

Of course, some great points were raised there. Biden may simply appear taller because of the angle the footage was captured or the type of lens used or that he's just closer to the camera than Jill or that the First Lady may be wearing shorter heels.

Let's perhaps ask ourselves these questions before jumping to "taller man in a Biden mask".

Featured image credit: Pool / Getty