NBC News said replacing Joe Biden in the vote was a right-wing conspiracy theory

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For months, rumors circulated in certain political circles that President Joe Biden would not end up on the ballot in November 2024. The idea was dismissed by many as a right-wing conspiracy theory, especially after NBC News labeled the idea that Biden replaced him at the last minute as mere political fear-mongering. But in a turn of events that seemed ripped from a political drama, Biden is now officially out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris has taken his place as the Democratic Party’s nominee.

In April 2023, Biden launched his re-election campaign, with a confident strategy and deep pockets – reportedly more than $91 million in combined funds for his campaign and Democratic fundraising committees. Biden’s team had even brought top political strategists on board, but showed no signs of backing down. The idea of ​​replacing Biden was dismissed as bizarre, with critics pointing to the logistical nightmare of pulling off such a swap so close to election season.

The idea, largely based on the idea that Biden is too old and not mentally sharp enough, is that there is a secret plan to replace Biden for his health or other reasons with amorphous Illuminati-like forces within the Democratic Party. It’s not a mainstream idea within the Republican Party, but it has taken hold among a relevant portion of the Republican base, drawing on some party officials who continue to toy with the idea.NBC reported at the time.

But as 2024 progressed, questions about Biden’s age and ability to sustain a second term intensified, and talk of an exit strategy began to gain traction, especially on conservative platforms. Republican voices like Senator Ted Cruz even made bold predictions, suggesting that the so-called “Democratic kingmakers” would step in and make a trade for someone like Michelle Obama. Cruz and others described this as a plot that would emerge during the Democratic National Convention.

In July 2024, these predictions took on another form of reality when Biden made the unexpected decision to resign, citing personal reasons and a desire to ensure the party’s success. Despite what NBC News and others had previously dismissed as a right-wing narrative, it became clear that internal concerns and calculations did play a role. The transition to Kamala Harris as the official Democratic candidate happened quickly, with Harris now set to face former President Donald Trump in the election.

While Biden’s exit from the race wasn’t exactly the plot conspiracy theorists envisioned, it has become a case where political reality leans toward once-dismissed rumors. Harris’ campaign now faces the task of uniting and strengthening the Democratic base amid these unexpected shifts, while Trump continues his own push for a political comeback.

The race, once expected to be a typical rematch, has now transformed into one of the most unprecedented and unpredictable presidential elections in modern American history.