Is Joe Biden a Clone? Dissecting the Conspiracy Theories and CIA Disguise Capabilities
On June 1, 2025, President Donald Trump shared a post on Truth Social that reignited a conspiracy theory claiming Joe Biden died in 2020 and has since been replaced by clones or robotic doubles. The original post, made by another user, alleged that soulless entities now impersonate Biden and included the remark, “Democrats don’t know the difference.”
This action came just days after Trump publicly expressed sympathy for Biden’s health, wishing him a swift recovery after reports confirmed that Biden had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. Additionally, Trump questioned the timing of the public disclosure of Biden’s health condition, implying that the information should have been released earlier.
The theory that Biden has been replaced by a body double or clone is not new. It has been fueled by viral videos and images purportedly showing inconsistencies in Biden’s appearance, such as changes in earlobes, eye color, and facial structure. One such video showed Biden touching his neck, leading some to speculate he was adjusting a mask.
While these claims lack credible evidence, they tap into a broader history of political body double theories. Notably, in the early 1990s, CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez demonstrated advanced mask technology by briefing President George H.W. Bush while wearing a lifelike mask that completely concealed her identity. Bush was reportedly astonished when Mendez revealed the disguise.
The use of body doubles has been a recurring theme in political conspiracy theories. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been the subject of similar claims, with observers pointing to alleged differences in facial features and body language as evidence of doubles.
While the technology for realistic disguises exists, the leap to asserting that a sitting U.S. president has been replaced by a clone or robot remains unfounded. These theories often rely on anecdotal observations and lack substantiated proof. Moreover, the dissemination of such claims by high-profile figures like Trump raises concerns about the spread of misinformation and its impact on public trust in democratic institutions.
In conclusion, while the idea of political figures using body doubles is not without precedent, the specific claim that Joe Biden has been replaced by a clone or robot lacks credible evidence. The propagation of such theories underscores the importance of critical thinking and the need to scrutinize information sources, especially in the digital age where misinformation can spread rapidly.