No, the original text of the Constitution was unclear on whether the vice president actually became the new president or just took over the powers and duties as an acting president. This ambiguity was permanently resolved by the 25th Amendment in 1967.
Original text (Article II, Section 1, Clause 6): Stated that the powers and duties of the office would shift to the vice president, leaving it open to debate whether they assumed the actual title and office.
The Tyler Precedent (1841): Established the real-world custom when William Henry Harrison died; John Tyler took the oath of office and claimed the full presidency, setting a standard everyone followed.
Formal Clarification (25th Amendment): Stated explicitly that the vice president officially becomes the president if the president dies, resigns, or is removed from office
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