A viral video shared on X claims to show New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul with her left eye closed while promoting the COVID-19 vaccine.

A Lunatic giving ‘Vaccine Advice’. Wtf is wrong with your eye? Lol 🤡pic.twitter.com/4oxiJfoGyo

— Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) September 5, 2024

Verdict: False

The claim is false as the clip has been altered. In the original video, shared on YouTube via Hochul’s verified channel, her left eye is not closed at any point. A spokesperson for Gov. Hochul denied the video’s authenticity in an email to Check Your Fact.

Fact Check:

Linda Sun, Hochul’s deputy chief of staff, was recently arrested for “acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government,” according to The Associated Press. Sun pleaded not guilty to the charge during an initial court appearance, the outlet reported.

The X video, viewed over 800,000 times, claims to show Hochul with her left eye closed while promoting the COVID-19 vaccine. The video shows Hochul standing outside of a local CVS pharmacy and reminding the general public to get their yearly COVID-19 vaccine. Hochul’s left eye appears to be closed for the entirety of the 26-second clip.

“A Lunatic giving ‘Vaccine Advice,'” the video’s caption reads, adding, “Wtf is wrong with your eye? Lol.”

The claim is false as the clip has been altered. In the original video, shared on YouTube via Hochul’s verified channel, her left eye is not closed at any point. “The new COVID-19 vaccine is available to New Yorkers now. I got my shot, and you should too! It’s the best way to protect your family and community,” the video’s description reads.

The altered version of the video was originally shared by X user @MAGADevilDog, a pro-Trump “memer and content creator for the Dilley show” and a member of the “Dilley Meme Team,” according to their bio.

Likewise, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to support the claim made via the altered X video. Actually, the opposite is true. On September 5, Lead Stories debunked the claim. In addition, Hochul does not appear to have commented on the altered video via her website or her verified social media accounts. (RELATED: No, Video Does Not Show Illegal Immigrants At Florida DMV)

A spokesperson for Gov. Hochul denied the video’s authenticity in an email to Check Your Fact.

“The video linked in your email is altered and not the original video,” the same spokesperson said.