A seemingly heartwarming Easter photo shared by former President Joe Biden over the weekend has stirred up a storm of controversy, with social media sleuths accusing the 82-year-old Democrat of being digitally inserted into the image.
On Sunday, Biden posted what appeared to be a candid family photo taken on the steps of a home in Delaware, notably without his embattled son, Hunter Biden. In the image, the former president is positioned on the top step, dressed in a blue suit, smiling amid his relatives. But it didn’t take long for eagle-eyed viewers to question whether Biden had actually been present for the shoot.
From the moment the image went live on X (formerly Twitter), users pointed to apparent visual discrepancies. One glaring detail that raised eyebrows was the way Jill Biden’s hair appeared altered where her husband’s suit met her shoulder — a subtle but suspicious glitch that sparked a flurry of Photoshop theories.
Online detectives weigh in
“I mean, this is obviously photoshopped, right? Is he supposed to be standing? Crouching down? This doesn’t even look like a plausible physical position, guys,” one user commented, echoing a chorus of incredulous voices.
Another critic broke down the visual inconsistencies with precision: “This is photoshop. Biden’s face is brightly lit from top/bottom. Everyone else’s is diffused (shaded). Biden has no discernible shadow. Jill casts a shadow, Biden does not. Super awkward body position. Head size doesn’t match the depth line. Is [Joe Biden] alive?”
A third user ridiculed the strange anatomy on display: “Is your forearm 4ft long? With your arm at that angle, it’s physically impossible for those to be your fingers. Who the hell is doing this crappy Photoshop job?”
Others noted Biden’s attire seemed overly formal for a casual family moment. “Why is Biden wearing a full suit and tie and TV makeup for this loving family photo?” asked Tennessee Star reporter Tom Pappert.
Even more puzzling to some was the apparent spatial incongruity in the image. “Everyone in the back row of the photo, except Joe appears to be sitting. So why isn’t he towering over them? Are we supposed to believe he’s sitting or something?” one user asked.
Some voices push back
Despite the online firestorm, not everyone was convinced the photo was doctored. One user offered a counterpoint: “I don’t think Biden was actually photoshopped into this pic (the hand is on the guy’s back in front of him), but he still looks as photoshopped as they come. If they were gonna photoshop him in, they would definitely have made it look less obvious.”
The viral speculation arrives on the heels of growing scrutiny over Biden’s health and public appearances.
While White House aides have long insisted that the former president remains in top form, his performance in the lone 2024 debate against Donald Trump — widely panned as underwhelming — cast serious doubts.
A rare post-presidency appearance
Biden has kept a relatively low profile since the Democrats’ defeat in the 2024 election. However, he recently returned to the spotlight with a speech in Chicago addressing the future of Social Security, marking his first major public appearance since leaving office.
For now, the authenticity of the Easter photo remains unconfirmed, but it has undoubtedly reignited conversations around Biden’s presence, both physical and political, in the post-presidency landscape.
