Hillary Clinton is well known as the Democratic candidate in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. News outlets have focused on her suspected poor health rather than her experience and competency to serve over the past week.
The trending hashtag "#HillarysHealth" on Twitter and the topic of Clinton's condition increased her popularity on Facebook throughout the summer. In particular, tweets discuss her physically frail appearances while giving speeches and addressing the media.
There are individuals on Twitter who claim the media is intentionally deceiving by downplaying the severity of Clinton's health issues.
Twitter user Dr. Milton Wolf (@MiltonWolfMD) tweeted the status, "This is not a 'faint' or a 'stumble.’ Dehydration/pneumonia does not cause rigidity and spasticity. #HillarysHealth" referring to a video of Clinton apparently fainting or falling, and guards lending aid as they huddled around her and physically assisted her into an awaiting vehicle in New York on Sept. 11.
Many are hesitant to trust the news on Clinton's health because they don’t think she is honest after her past judgment led to scrutiny and even federal investigations.
Another Twitter user, Deplorable Colleen (@col_nj), posted, "(imitating Clinton) I'm fine.. Er..It's allergies.. Uh.. It's Pneumonia. Just think of the lies she'll tell as POTUS".
With Clinton's recent diagnosis of pneumonia revealed Sept. 9, many have undoubtedly surmised that she is genuinely in poor health, and this is concerning for one who may be the future president of the United States. Channel 9 News on Facebook posted an article stating Clinton admitted she ignored her doctor's order to stay at rest after being diagnosed with pneumonia. Clinton also reportedly declined attending events such as speaking in California due to her health.
Some believe anyone who discusses the decline in Clinton's health on television, or any other news outlet, either lose their show or would no longer be featured as a result. Milo Yiannopoulos posted on Facebook, "Ask questions about Hillary's health, and they will come for your career!" while attaching an article about Dr. Drew, who discussed Clinton's health on his popular radio show, and as a result, was taken off the air eight days after the discussion.
Another conspiracy theory suggests after Clinton collapsed on Sept. 11, there may have been a ‘body double’ of Clinton who appeared afterwards in order to portray a refreshed and more rejuvenated candidate.
One particular article from The New York Post entitled, "Clinton Team Avoided ER to Conceal Details of her Medical Treatment,” goes into more depth on how the appearance of this possible body double contrasted with Clinton's facial characteristics - specifically the nose and cheekbones. The article even speculates that the number of bodyguards present during this particular incident differed from Clinton's usual entourage. The ‘body double’ theory has obviously intrigued many as it trended on Twitter with the hashtag #BodyDouble and remains a topic of conversation.
As news outlets and social media continue to cite Clinton's suspected decline in health, the public is sure to follow any new developments in order to learn more about the physical capabilities, or inabilities, of someone who could likely be elected to serve as our next president. Republican candidate Donald Trump said he hopes Clinton will "get well soon.”
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton takes a question during a campaign rally at the Derry Boys and Girls Club in Derry, New Hampshire February 3, 2016. REUTERS/Adrees Latif
