The hospitalization of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, caused by complications from an elective surgery last month, has led to an explosion of conspiracy theories online.
The challenge began after Austin was admitted to the intensive care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan. 1 after experiencing “severe pain. “However, despite the gravity of the situation, Austin never informed senior officials of his absence.
President Joe Biden was not informed of Austin’s hospitalization until January 4. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, to whom Austin delegated some of his tasks after his hospitalization, was also unaware of the Secretary of Defense’s prestige for several days. Hicks was also vacationing in Puerto Rico at the time.
The initial lack of data on the incident temporarily created an online vacuum, which conspiracy theorists were quick to fill.
Over at Real Raw News, a news site known for spreading disinformation, allegations were made that Austin had actually been killed during a secret visit to Ukraine.
On the conspiracy blog Gateway Pundit, commenters unsurprisingly argued that hospitalization is likely similar to the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I don’t do anything they say,” one user wrote. “I bet it’s similar to the vaccine. “
On X, a user claimed Austin was dead before making anti-Semitic comments.
“General Austin Lloyd is, and of course, Jews lie in the media, as always,” they write.
Similar views were held on Truth Social, Trump’s flailing social media platform.
Users also reported that Austin’s disappearance is akin to the “clot bite,” a term used by vaccine advocates to describe COVID-19 inoculation, while others claimed he was sent to the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
While Austin’s moves are undoubtedly embarrassing, there is no evidence of widespread conspiracy theories.
However, Austin’s secret hospitalization sparked a bipartisan backlash. Reacting to the protest, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said over the weekend that Austin’s chief of staff, Kelly Magsamen, had failed to alert the White House to her superior’s condition because he was “sick with the flu. “
“So I will say upfront… the secretary has taken responsibility in terms of the overall transparency concerns,” Ryder said. “And again, you know, I work every day with Chief Magsamen, and you’re not going to meet anybody that works harder than her. And she was ill with the flu. And so, not standing up here to make excuses other than the explanation for why there was a delay and the fact that we know we can do better.”
The answers given so far, as well as Austin’s refusal to reveal the main points about his condition, have done little to quell the conspiracy allegations. But even ignoring conspiracy theories, Austin’s moves rightly surprise for a clever reason.
Austin was released from the hospital on Friday and continued his work as defense secretary. It is not yet clear whether disciplinary action will be taken.