WASHINGTON, DC: A wildfire of bizarre and unfounded conspiracy theories has resurfaced after it came to light that Gen Eric Smith, a Marine Corps commandant, was hospitalized following an apparent heart attack on Sunday, October 29.

While the agency didn't offer additional information about his condition or how long he is expected to remain in hospital, two anonymous marine officials, familiar with Smith's condition, told US Today that he supposedly suffered a heart attack while jogging near Marine Barracks Washington.

Witnesses noticed Smith "stumble" and then "fall face-first on the sidewalk," according to a representative for the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, who talked with The New York Times.

After arriving on the scene, emergency personnel gave Smith chest compressions and rushed him to a nearby hospital. Hours before his collapse, he allegedly attended the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington.

In his absence, Lt General Karsten Heckl is serving as interim commandant since there is currently no number two under Smith due to the ongoing hold on military promotions from Republican Sen Tommy Tuberville.

Is Tommy Tuberville's ongoing hold responsible for Eric Smith’s medical emergency?

Following Eric Smith’s hospitalization, Senate Armed Services Chair Jack Reed claimed that the commandant’s recent medical emergency may have resulted in part from Tommy Tuberville's hold on top military promotions, which has forced several officers to hold down multiple jobs.

In September, The Marine Corps Times reported that Smith has been acting as both the number one and number two commandant.

Reflecting on Smith’s duties, Reed said, "One of the reasons, I think contributed to his condition was he was doing two jobs at once," as per Politico.

He added, "I’ve read where he was working from 5 am to 11 pm. As a result, if he had, as is normal, an assistant, he could switch off."

Reed continued by stating that Smith’s medical emergency underscored "the fallacy and the danger" of Tuberville’s (R-Ala) tactic of delaying top military nominees from being confirmed.

More than 300 generals and admirals at the highest levels of the armed services have been ensnared by the Alabama Senator as he has continued to blockade the Pentagon over its supposed travel policy on abortion.

Senator Chuck Schumer echoed Reed’s claims, writing, "It's urgent with the news Gen. Eric Smith was hospitalized—we pray for him. This incident shows why it’s supremely risky to play politics with military appointments like Sen. Tuberville."

A netizen stated, "Gen. Eric Smith in charge of Marine Corp has had a heart attack, working double shifts for months bc his deputy has had his appt. blocked. Guess who, GOAT JDPON Comrade Tuberville has done it once again, we should all strive to have his resolve and impact in weakening our forces."

Another asserted, "Tommy Tuberville needs to stop blocking military promotions! The blockade is unconscionable during the crisis between Israel and Hamas & now hurting existing senior military staff’s health! Hope Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith will fully recover!"

Is Covid vaccine to be blamed for Eric Smith’s medical emergency?

After Eric Smith’s hospitalization, several conspiracy theorists blamed the Covid-19 vaccine for the commandant’s medical emergency even though there's no proof behind the claims.

One wrote, "The Administration forced all US military members to be fully vaccinated, which may include as many as four or five COVID shots! The toughest US Marine is down for the count."

"The head of the U.S. Marine Corps, Gen. Eric Smith, just went down with a serious vaccine injury. Allegedly. 58 years old. Can we stop the shots now? How many members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have to be incapacitated before the shots are withdrawn?" stated another.

A person asserted, "The MSM is only saying a "medical emergency" so we know when they say that the vax is involved."

"That’s exactly what they wanted. Weaken our military with wokeness and vaccines so we can’t defend ourselves," claimed a user.