In a recent development, the India TV Fact Check team debunked a doctored video that falsely depicted United States President Joe Biden facing profane chants during a speech. The video, originally posted on social media platforms, displayed the president being interrupted by offensive chants, but it has been confirmed as fake.
The video was shared on November 5, 2023, during a pro-Palestinian protest outside the White House in Washington, D.C., where protesters chanted anti-Biden slogans, including the explicit phrase. The 20-second video was accompanied by the text, "Biden left speechless after 'F*** Joe Biden' chant breaks out."
However, upon investigation, the India TV Fact Check team discovered that the audio featuring the expletive-laden chants had been superimposed onto the video. The original video, dated July 2022, did not contain any profanities directed at President Biden.
In the authentic video from July 2022, President Biden was interrupted by a father whose 17-year-old son had tragically lost his life in the Parkland, Florida, school shooting. Biden's response in this video was to the interruption, saying, "We have to do more than that."
This misinformation has been shared on multiple platforms, including The Times of India's YouTube channel, which falsely claimed that Elon Musk had endorsed the video.
The debunking of this fake video comes at a time when President Biden is facing criticism for his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict and ongoing pro-Palestinian protests. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over the situation in Gaza and called for a humanitarian ceasefire, noting that Gaza is becoming "a graveyard for children."
It is crucial to remain vigilant against the spread of misinformation in today's digital age. This case serves as a reminder to verify the authenticity of content before accepting it as fact.
Also read | FACT CHECK: Fake Instagram screenshot of Virat Kohli supporting Gaza circulates online
