FACT CHECK: Viral X Video Purporting To Show Video Address From Biden Is A Deepfake
A viral video shared on X purports to show President Joe Biden making his first video address since announcing he was exiting the 2024 presidential race.
🚨Breaking Now🚨: President Joe Biden makes his first video address following dropping out of the Presidential race. pic.twitter.com/oIE69FHXdf
— Prison Mitch (@MidnightMitch) July 21, 2024
Verdict: False
The video is a deepfake, according to PolitiFact. Biden is set to address the nation at 8:00 p.m. ET on July 24, The Associated Press reported.
Fact Check:
Biden left for Washington Tuesday after recovering from COVID-19 at his Wilmington, Delaware home, according to Reuters. He was seen carrying a surgical mask as he boarded Air Force One, the outlet reported.
The X video, viewed 20 million times as of writing, purports to show Biden making his first video address since announcing he was exiting the 2024 presidential race. In the video, Biden appears to drop an expletive while addressing what he deems as “hateful” claims taking aim at his cognitive abilities. The video also appears to feature a PBS News logo on the bottom left corner.
“Breaking Now: President Joe Biden makes his first video address following dropping out of the Presidential race,” the video’s caption reads.
The claim is false. Biden is set to address the nation at 8:00 p.m. ET on July 24 regarding his decision to suspend his 2024 presidential reelection campaign, according to The Associated Press. Biden announced he would be exiting the race via a July 21 letter shared on his personal X account, @JoeBiden. In the letter, Biden said he would address the nation “in more detail” about his decision.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024
Likewise, the viral X video is neither referenced on PBS’ website nor on its verified social media accounts. The White House also has not publicly commented on the claim. (RELATED: Did Joe Biden Say Account Was Hacked After He Dropped Out?)
In addition, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to support the claim. Actually, the opposite is true. On July 22, PolitiFact reported the video was a deepfake. The outlet also referenced a statement from PBS labeling the video as inauthentic.
“A deepfake video of President Joe Biden bearing our logo is circulating on social media. Biden did not make this statement. PBS News did not authorize the use of this video and we do not condone altering news video or audio in any way that could mislead the audience,” the statement read.
According to Politifact, a July 14 video of Biden addressing the nation from the Oval Office appears to have been used to create the deepfake. Biden made the address following a shooting that took place at 2024 Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump’s July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Check Your Fact has contacted the White House and PBS for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received.
