California Governor's Social Media Activity Ignites Controversy Over Biden's Mental Fitness
California Governor Gavin Newsom has found himself at the centre of a political storm after his press office posted a series of images on social media platform X, featuring prominent Democratic figures. The posts have been interpreted by many users as an implicit admission that former President Joe Biden suffered from significant cognitive decline during his time in office.
Contrasting Captions Raise Eyebrows
On Thursday, the liberal governor's press office shared photographs of Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Kamala Harris with strikingly different captions. Accompanying the image of President Biden was the text: 'RT if you miss having a President with empathy.' However, the photograph of former President Obama carried a more pointed message: 'RT if you miss having a President with a functioning brain.'
Social media users were quick to notice the stark contrast between these two descriptions. Many speculated whether this deliberate wording hinted that Newsom, who was considered a close confidante to Biden, was acknowledging that the 83-year-old former president lacked the mental capacity demonstrated by Obama.
Republican Response and Further Revelations
The controversy deepened when a GOP account responded with a screenshot of an earlier tweet from Newsom's press office. This previous post showed Biden on a bicycle with the caption: 'Happy birthday, President @JoeBiden! We miss having a president who has physical stamina - and a functioning brain.'
When questioned about this, Newsom's office replied: 'Yes. Thank you for reposting some of our best tweets?' This response has done little to quell the speculation surrounding the governor's intentions.
In another development, a user posted a reply in the same style as Newsom's press team, featuring a photograph of the California governor himself. The caption read: 'If you want someone that has neither and supports fraud.'
Historical Context of Biden's Cognitive Health Concerns
Questions about Joe Biden's cognitive health were a persistent theme throughout his presidency. The former president was frequently observed experiencing difficulties, including:
- Tripping on the steps of Air Force One on multiple occasions
- Suffering numerous senior moments during public appearances
- Repeatedly losing his train of thought during a crucial June 2024 debate with Donald Trump
The televised debate performance in June 2024 proved particularly damaging, ultimately contributing to the end of Biden's reelection campaign. Further concerns emerged when an October 2025 Congressional report revealed that Biden's doctor had refused to administer a cognitive test. The former president was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in May 2025 and continues to receive treatment for this condition.
Trump's Cognitive Claims and Health Questions
During the 2024 election cycle, Donald Trump repeatedly demanded that Biden undergo cognitive testing. The Republican has consistently claimed to experience no cognitive decline himself, stating earlier this year: 'I'm the only president that ever took a cognitive test.'
Trump elaborated: 'I took it three times. It's actually a very hard test for a lot of people. It wasn't hard for me.' The assessment in question was the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a mild cognitive test typically requiring 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
However, Trump has faced his own health-related scrutiny in recent months. Observers have noted:
- Unexplained bruising on his hands
- A persistent rash on his neck
- Scabbed and flaking skin behind his right ear during a White House veterans event
Trump's physician attributed these skin issues to 'preventative skin treatment,' suggesting the redness would subside within weeks. The 79-year-old president has come under increasing examination after revealing last year that he bruises and bleeds easily, with photographs often showing makeup covering the back of his hands.
Additional Health Considerations for Both Leaders
Trump has explained his frequent bruising and cuts as resulting from a high aspirin dosage and the constant handshaking required by his position. He was diagnosed last summer with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition involving damaged leg veins that impairs blood flow to the heart and can cause swelling in the lower extremities.
Questions have also emerged about Trump's energy levels after he was observed with his eyes closed during meetings. The president addressed these concerns in a January interview with New York magazine: 'They're boring as hell. I'm going around a room, and I've got 28 guys - the last one was three and a half hours.'
Trump continued: 'I have to sit back and listen, and I move my hand so that people will know I'm listening. I'm hearing every word, and I can't wait to get out.' Some aides have reported needing to raise their voices in meetings, citing concerns about the president's declining hearing.
Broader Political Implications
Newsom's social media activity extended beyond the Biden-Obama comparison. The governor's office also posted about Vice President Kamala Harris with the caption: 'RT if you miss having a Vice President who was respected around the world.'
In what appeared to be a swipe at conservative President Donald Trump, Newsom referred to former President George W. Bush as the 'smartest Republican President of the new millennium.' These additional posts have further complicated the political messaging from the California governor's office.
The Daily Mail has contacted Newsom's office for comment regarding the implications of these social media posts. It remains unclear whether the governor intended to suggest that Biden experienced cognitive decline during his presidency, though the contrasting captions have certainly fueled that interpretation among political observers and social media users alike.
