FACT CHECK: Did The Interim Speaker Stand On A Crate During A Press Conference?

Joseph Casieri | Fact Check Reporter

An image shared on social media purportedly shows interim House Speaker Patrick McHenry standing on a crate while giving a press conference.

Verdict: False

The claim is inaccurate.

Fact Check:

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed from his position when 8 Republicans, led by Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, joined the Democrats to vote him out of his position., The Washington Post reported. McCarthy recently revealed that he is willing to retake the speakership if the Republicans that voted to oust him are willing to vote to reinstate him.

The Twitter post purports interum Speaker McHenry used a crate to appear taller during an appearance. The photo appears to show McHenry standing outside of the Capitol Building delivering a statement while he is standing on a crate to reach the mic stand.

The caption reads, “The guy with Napoleon complex is this year’s Hate on A Crate. So unserious.”

This claim is inaccurate. There is no credible news report that suggests this photo is authentic. Check Your Fact conducted a reverse image search that revealed the photo was digitally altered. The image appeared in an article from the news outlet NC Newsline. Ashely Murray was the credited photographer. She also shared he original photo on Twitter. The original photo shows McHenry standing without a crate next to McCarthy.

A C-SPAN video shows the press conference with then House Speaker McCarthy and House Financial Services Committee Chair McHenry discussing the debt limit in May 2023. (RELATED: Are Wages Keeping Up With Inflation?)

This is not the first time misinformation has been shared online. Check Your Fact debunked a claim that Venus Williams refused to compete against a transgender athlete.

Joseph Casieri

Fact Check Reporter

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