The Associated Press fact-checked a video showing former President Obama guiding President Biden off stage, citing one anonymous source who downplayed the incident as a casual moment between the two.
“[T]here was nothing noteworthy about this moment and that Obama wanted to be ‘chummy’ by walking offstage with Biden,” the inside source was quoted as saying.
This fact check followed tensions between Biden’s aides and the media over coverage of his age-related issues and public gaffes.
That’s a wrap on record-setting Democratic fundraiser for Joe Biden’s reelection campaign (netting $28M). Former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden offer final waves to Peacock Theater crowd as Obama then grabs Biden’s hand to lead him offstage following 40-minute… pic.twitter.com/xbE2jf3jdz
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) June 16, 2024
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dismissed videos of Biden’s public mishaps as “cheap fakes,” avoiding questions about his well-being.
The AP’s fact check provided a positive interpretation of Biden’s pause on stage, emphasizing it as a moment of acknowledging the applauding crowd.
“CLAIM: Biden froze onstage during his fundraiser in Los Angeles on Saturday night and had to be led away by Obama,” the fact-check began.
“THE FACTS: Biden paused amid cheers and applause as he exited the stage with his predecessor following an interview moderated by late-night host Kimmel,” they wrote.
Despite the White House’s explanations, not all observers accepted the narrative, with the Trump campaign criticizing the responses and highlighting concerns about Biden’s abilities.
“The truth hurts,” Trump Campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung said.
“When the Biden campaign is confronted with that cold, hard reality, they offer ridiculous claims that anyone who clearly sees Biden acting like a brain-dead dope is part of some media-wide conspiracy,” he said.
“That’s what happens when you have junior staffers and interns running Biden’s campaign strategy for a candidate who can barely walk and talk at the same time,” Cheung added.
