Former US President Donald Trump has launched a formal investigation into what he and Republican allies claim was a “conspiracy” to conceal Joe Biden’s cognitive decline during his presidency, escalating partisan tensions and raising fresh questions about Biden’s time in office.
In a presidential memorandum issued Wednesday, Trump accused Biden’s aides of using an autopen to sign official documents, thereby misleading the public about Biden’s capacity to lead the nation.
“This conspiracy marks one of the most dangerous and concerning scandals in American history,” the document stated.
“The American public was purposefully shielded from discovering who wielded the executive power.”
Biden Fires Back: ‘Ridiculous and False’
Responding swiftly, Joe Biden dismissed the allegations as “ridiculous and false,” asserting that he had personally made key decisions throughout his presidency.
“I made the decisions during my presidency — about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations,” Biden said in a statement shared with AFP.
He condemned the probe as a “distraction” orchestrated by Trump and congressional Republicans “to push disastrous legislation.”
The accusations follow Biden’s widely criticized debate performance against Trump last year, where the then-81-year-old struggled with coherence and focus — a turning point that contributed to his withdrawal from the 2024 race. Biden eventually endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who went on to lose the election to Trump.
Focus on the Autopen and Executive Power
The probe, according to the memorandum, will investigate the use of the autopen — a device capable of duplicating a person’s signature — allegedly employed to authorize executive actions without Biden’s direct involvement.
“The Counsel to the President, in consultation with the Attorney General… shall investigate whether certain individuals conspired to deceive the public about Biden’s mental state and unconstitutionally exercise the authorities and responsibilities of the President,” the document reads.
Officials will also examine the specific executive orders, proclamations, and legislative decisions for which the autopen was used, and determine who ordered its deployment.
Democratic Divisions and Fallout
The investigation coincides with increasing divisions within the Democratic Party, which has faced criticism for allegedly failing to act sooner on signs of Biden’s cognitive struggles. Prominent Democrats have publicly questioned whether he should have stepped down earlier to make room for a more electable candidate.
The internal dissent was exacerbated by the release of a new book by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, which alleges that Biden’s inner circle intentionally limited his public appearances and interactions, shielding him from scrutiny. The book even claims that Biden had moments of forgetfulness involving high-profile individuals such as actor George Clooney.
Adding fuel to the controversy, reports surfaced that Biden is battling aggressive prostate cancer — a revelation that right-wing commentators have used to suggest a wider cover-up, although no evidence has been presented to support this claim.
Biden Ally Quits Party Amid Infighting
Amid the growing turmoil, Biden’s former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced her departure from the Democratic Party on Wednesday, citing the “betrayal” she felt from the internal backlash against Biden.
“The in-fighting is a betrayal of a man who gave everything to serve this country,” she said.
What you should know
Donald Trump has ordered a probe into claims that Joe Biden’s aides concealed his cognitive decline by using an autopen to authorize decisions during his presidency. Biden denies the accusations, calling them politically motivated.
The investigation has amplified Democratic Party divisions, especially following Biden’s failed reelection bid and subsequent revelations about his health and behind-the-scenes management.
