"Biden Alone in a Suit in Family Photo"
"Awkward Angle and Unnatural Left Hand"
Some Treat Photo Manipulation as Fact, Raise Conspiracy Theories
Former U.S. President Joe Biden became embroiled in allegations of photo manipulation and sudden rumors about his health after releasing a family photo.
On April 20 (local time), former President Biden posted an Easter greeting and a photo with his family, including his wife Jill Biden, on his social networking service (SNS) account.
However, after the photo was made public, controversy over possible manipulation arose online. The appearance of former President Biden at the top of the photo was said to look unnatural. In particular, online users pointed out that while other family members in the photo were dressed in casual attire, only former President Biden was wearing a suit with a U.S. flag pin.
They claimed that "the image of former President Biden was not actually taken but was added using Photoshop or another photo editing program." They argued that, considering the other family members sitting on the stairs and the space in the photo, the angle at which Biden appeared was also unnatural. One X user pointed out, "The woman sitting in front of former President Biden is visible up to her knees in the photo," and argued, "If Biden had actually been present for this photo, he would not have been able to stand or sit there."
There were also repeated claims that former President Biden's left hand in the photo looked unnatural. Another X user emphasized, "His hand is not resting on his grandson's shoulder, and his fingers are not touching him," insisting, "This photo is a fake that has been manipulated." They claimed that a photo of Biden waving had been composited into the family photo. Some even took the manipulation as fact and raised conspiracy theories that the photo was doctored to hide a deterioration in Biden's health.
Former President Biden has faced rumors about his health on several occasions. In July of last year, commentator Charlie Kirk claimed on his X (formerly Twitter) account, "I heard a strange clue that people should investigate from a close source at the Las Vegas Police Department. There was an emergency related to Biden," adding, "There are even rumors among local police that Biden may already be dead." However, this was found to be untrue.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., a new book addressing suspicions that former President Biden concealed health issues last year and decided to run for re-election is currently ranked in the top 10 in Amazon's Politics & Social Sciences category based on pre-orders alone. The book, "Original Sin: Biden's Decline, Concealment, and the Catastrophic Decision to Run Again," written by bestselling author Jake Tapper and others, will be released on May 20.
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