The problem with 'doing your own research': Arizona conspiracy theory edition

In a surprising turn of events, two Arizona Republican state lawmakers have found themselves at the center of a political storm after sharing a debunked conspiracy theory about President Joe Biden. The theory, which has been thoroughly discredited, suggests that the President is using body doubles to make public appearances, according to the Arizona Mirror.

State Senator Wendy Rogers, representing Flagstaff, sparked controversy when she shared a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter) that falsely claimed First Lady Jill Biden was simultaneously in Paris and Washington, D.C. This claim was quickly debunked by PolitiFact, which reported that the First Lady had left for France shortly after the President's address to the nation, and the photos in question were taken hours apart.

Not to be outdone, Representative Joseph Chaplik of Scottsdale also joined the fray by sharing a similar post. This one, originally from former CBS journalist Sharyl Attkisson, speculated about the potential use of a "flawless" body double for the President. Attkisson, known for promoting debunked theories in the past, was herself reposting content from a user who had been accused of fabricating their identity online.

The conspiracy theory didn't stop there. Senator Rogers went on to share additional posts claiming that President Biden had mysteriously grown taller, and even more outlandishly, that he had died and it was being covered up. When approached for comment on their posts and the credibility of their sources, both lawmakers remained silent.

This incident is not an isolated one in the world of political conspiracy theories. Similar unfounded claims have been made about other politicians, including Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman. These theories often find fertile ground in online communities dedicated to complex and far-reaching conspiracy narratives.

While it's easy to dismiss such theories as harmless speculation, experts warn of the potential damage they can cause to public trust and the democratic process. As social media continues to amplify even the most outlandish claims, the responsibility falls on both politicians and the public to critically evaluate information before sharing it.

In the end, there remains no credible evidence to support the claim that President Biden or any member of his family is using body doubles.

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