A video viewed more than 2.8 million times on Twitter shows President-elect Joe Biden apparently looking “lost” and “confused” while on stage on January 16. However, the track has been edited.
A recap posted on Twitter here , reloaded by Rudy Giuliani ( here ) and by more than 11,900 users, reads: “We are so confused. He has no idea where or who he sometimes is. ”
Comments include: ‘He definitely looks lost and confused’ and ‘Yes, he looks old and confused.’
The 19-second clip, which was circulated on social media, illustrates the last moments of an event on January 16 in which Joe Biden and the elected US Vice President Kamala Harris introduced important members of the White House Science team. Full footage is visible on Biden’s YouTube channel youtu.be/KevRVvP2-_M.
Before he and the members of his team leave the stage, Biden takes an extra moment to give a concluding message and says, ‘I have to say one thing. I am not supposed to speak again ”, probably referring to the schedule of the conference and the duration of his speech (youtu.be/KevRVvP2-_M?t=2525). He then went on to address his excitement about the team of scientific experts selected for his incoming government, and finally said: ‘I take this beyond what we are supposed to do. See you all ”.
The original footage shows that the edited track was cut from a wider frame making it look like Biden was alone at the time (youtu.be/KevRVvP2-_M?t=2590).
As of the time stamp 0:04, the edited version has no sound. Full footage shows off-screen reporters asking him questions as they left the room (see youtu.be/KevRVvP2-_M?t=2587).
The edited track also does not show that other people walked on stage with Biden, and that he waited to be the last to leave the room, as visible youtu.be/KevRVvP2-_M?t=2591 .
Since it was posted, the video on Twitter has been described as ‘manipulated media’.
VERDICT
Missing context. The clip in the viral tweet was cut from original footage that Biden showed on stage, accompanied by several members of his team. His remark, ‘I take it further than we are supposed to do’, was apparently made with reference to the scope of the event, as can be seen in the longer video.
This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our work to actually check social media posts.