President Joe Biden gave a relatively “fiery” State of the Union address last week that some are now saying may have been fueled by stimulants.
Dr. Carole Lieberman, a Beverly Hills forensic psychiatrist, suggested that Biden may have been on Adderall or another stimulant during his speech, as reported by The Washington Times. Lieberman said the volume and speed of Biden’s voice and his use of hand gestures were indicative of stimulant use.
“If you look at how Joe Biden usually is — slow and stumbling — compared to how he was during the State of the Union — fiery and angry — these are signs that are typical for someone taking Adderall or any amphetamine,” Lieberman said, per The Washington Times.
Some called the suggestion that Biden was on stimulants “ridiculous.” MSNBC’s Steve Benen, producer of The Rachel Maddow Show, wrote that the accusations of stimulant use only demonstrate that Biden’s speech was successful while also calling attention to unconfirmed reports of drug use in the White House during the Trump administration.
Former President Donald Trump may have kickstarted the recent accusations that Biden was on drugs in his play-by-play commentary on Truth Social during the speech. Trump posted, “THE DRUGS ARE WEARING OFF,” as Biden stumbled during the speech.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Biden uses stimulants, first making the claim in 2016, then again in 2020, as reported by MSNBC. Slate Magazine, which called Trump’s claim “bizarre,” published excerpts of an interview with Michael T. Swanoski, a professor at the University of Minnesota’s College of Pharmacy, who claims stimulants would not account for Biden’s performance.
“Adderall is a stimulant that’s often prescribed for attention deficit disorder,” Swanoski said. “So Adderall potentially could increase your attentiveness if you’re feeling drowsy or if you’re fatigued. But it doesn’t increase cognition per se.”
“Inherently your talents in debating are not going to suddenly be enhanced because you took a nutritional supplement or you took a prescription stimulant. The best they can do is maybe make you more alert,” he said.
Biden did make several gaffes during the speech. While discussing plans to reduce drug prices, he mistakenly mentioned Moscow. After being heckled by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) about the killing of Laken Riley, a Georgia college student allegedly murdered by an unlawful migrant from Venezuela, Biden mistakenly called her “Lincoln.”
Trump now has a clear path to the Republican nomination after significant victories on Super Tuesday, as reported by The Dallas Express. His last serious challenger, Nikki Haley, ended her campaign shortly after when it became clear she had no path forward. Trump, who did not participate in any debates, is now calling for a live television debate with Biden.
“It is important, for the Good of our Country, that Joe Biden and I Debate Issues that are so vital to America, and the American People,” Trump posted to Truth Social. “Therefore, I am calling for Debates, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, ANYPLACE!”
Biden has so far not confirmed his willingness to debate Trump.
