FACT CHECK: Does This Image Show Billboards Of Joe And Hunter Biden In Times Square?
An image shared on Facebook purportedly shows billboards in Times Square depicting Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.
Verdict: False
There is no evidence such billboards have been displayed in Times Square. The image comes from a website that allows users to superimpose images into billboard template photos.
Fact Check:
The Oct. 22 post claims the billboards can be seen “today” in New York City’s Times Square. The bottom right corner of the billboard that allegedly shows Hunter Biden includes the Capital One logo and includes an altered version of the company’s slogan that reads “What’s on your laptop?”
However, a reverse image search indicates the picture, which has been altered, originated from PhotoFunia, a website where individuals can add effects and edit images. The specific filter selection, titled “Streets of New York,” shows the same police van and limousine as those in the Facebook post and, based on the subway station and store visible, appears to show the corner of 7th Avenue and W 42nd Street.
The photo inserted onto the right-hand billboard was taken by Reuters photographer Kevin Lamarque in Wilmington on Oct. 7. It shows Joe Biden as he “gives a thumbs up when asked about how Kamala Harris will do in tonight’s vice-presidential debate,” according to the caption. (RELATED: Did Joe Biden Call Black Americans ‘Super Predators’ In 1994?)
The image used to create the left-hand billboard appears to come from an Oct. 14 story published by the New York Post that describes alleged materials former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani claims came from a laptop that belonged to Hunter Biden. Check Your Fact has not independently verified the purported contents of the laptop.
Had such billboards been displayed in Times Square, national and local media outlets would have covered it, yet none have. We rate this claim false.