The White House criticized Republicans on Monday for circulating videos that allegedly depict US President Joe Biden’s mental and physical decline, accusing them of deceptively editing and manipulating the footage.
When speaking to the media, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “This means that the republicans are desperate,” referring to this as the “cheapfake” video.
These include a few short videos showing the 81-year-old President posted by various outlets, including New York Post and an official Republican social media account.
In one clip, Biden is seen walking away awkwardly from them in order to join other world leaders who were standing together for an official G7 photograph. Then suddenly he walked a couple of steps away from them as if watching skydivers dive through the air. Immediately Meloni contacted him by tapping his shoulder and then turning him towards their group photo.
However, according to Jean-Pierre, this was misleadingly edited footage; Biden was actually motioning his thumb up at parachutists.
“There was so much fact checking done on this…including by conservative media…” she said during a press briefing “…but if you watch a little bit more of that tape…” NBC has also debunked it earlier in the week when they posted another angle online showing Biden interacting with some parachutists close by.
Another popular video showed his face up close while world leaders danced around him during a concert at the White House leading critics to call it confusion. In response Jean-Pierre noted, “The president is listening to it right there & he’s not dancing. Excuse me! How did I not know that not dancing is bad for my health?”
Another viral clip showed Obama being led off stage after helping once again frozen on-stage during a fundraising event in California hosted by President Barack Obama.
But according to Andrew Bates who is another spokesperson for the White House Biden had been waiting onstage X just pause and get applause from those supporting him.
Republican Donald Trump, Biden’s main opponent in November’s elections, has made his advancing age an important campaign issue by trying to present himself as a more energetic option.
Irrespective of who wins the election, a new age record will be set.