For the past several weeks a conspiracy theory has spread through Republican internet channels claiming that Sen. John Fetterman's (D-PA) body has been taken over by a clone.
Despite fictional claims in television, film and literature, human clones do not exist.
"The conspiracy appears to be a continuation of earlier discourse about Fetterman’s speech issues following his stroke now that his speech in interviews is much improved," MSNBC reported over the weekend. "Fetterman also took the daring step of changing his facial hair. Even such mundane things can become a recipe for conspiracies in such a highly politicized environment."
Fetterman joked last week, “I’m Senator Guy Incognito,” a reference to a "Simpsons" character who looks exactly like Homer Simpson.
The Fetterman campaign is even embracing the conspiracy, selling T-shirts reading: “John Fetterman’s Body Double.”
Speaking to MSNBC's Joy Reid on Tuesday, however, Fetterman and the host debated the idea of Fetterman having a kind of stunt double.
"I feel like it is my one opportunity to ask you about this," began Reid. "Apparently, there was a huge conspiracy theory that I might not have just had a conversation with you. This might be the body double. Am I talking to you my friend, Senator or am I talking to the body double?"
"Hey, is he here?" Fetterman said pretending to look around. "Yes you know and if you are supposed to show up and really address that but he hasn't arrived here, unfortunately."
"That's just what a body-double would say, man!" Reid shot back.
See the interview below or at the link here.