How Biden’s Stumbles Collided With a Right-Wing Conspiracy Theory

For years, far-right commentators have floated a conspiracy theory that Democratic Party elites were secretly plotting to replace President Biden on the ticket — a switcheroo that could give the party an advantage in November.

Suddenly, Mr. Biden being replaced by another Democrat as the party’s presidential nominee seems like a distinct possibility.

There is no evidence that the chaotic events following June’s debate were planned or that Mr. Biden’s halting performance was intentional. But the crisis over his candidacy has right-wing influencers heralding the moment as a conspiracy theory turned true.

“It was their final opportunity to toss the old man to one side, as I’ve been saying for the entire last year and a half,” said Vivek Ramaswamy, the former Republican presidential candidate, in a podcast interview after the debate.

“What they described as a conspiracy theory last year has become a reality today,” he added.

Far-right social media is rife with outlandish, unproven stories of Democratic crimes and rigged elections. Most of those ideas fizzle over time as they fail to come true.

But every now and then, one of those stories collides with reality. The influencers who spread the ideas seize on their luck, using the moment to lend credibility to their work and cement their relationship with followers.