President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are set to face off in the first of two presidential debates for the 2024 election season tonight. However, this week has seen numerous conspiracy theories gain traction on social media, with many alleging that there are hidden forces working to benefit Biden and harm Trump. The debate, which is the earliest ever for two presidential candidates, will be hosted by CNN in Atlanta and will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. About 60% of Americans plan to watch the debate, but those who frequent platforms like X, Facebook, and TikTok may have already encountered outlandish conspiracy theories about the event.
Some of the most prominent conspiracy theories include claims that Biden will be wearing an earpiece or that the broadcast will be tampered with in some way. These theories seem to stem from Trump supporters’ fears that Biden will outperform the former president, leading them to preemptively suggest that any strong performance by Biden is somehow fraudulent. Despite previously criticizing Biden’s debating skills, Trump has recently acknowledged Biden as a worthy opponent.
Various conspiracy theories have emerged online, such as claims that CNN will have a two-minute broadcast delay to edit out Biden’s mistakes, or that Biden will be taking performance-enhancing drugs. Other theories suggest that Biden may be replaced by a body double or that CNN is blocking access for journalists to cover up potential medical emergencies during the debate. These theories have been debunked or lack credible evidence, but they continue to circulate on social media platforms.