Janice R. Andrews
A set of false movies purporting to be of President Joe Biden have become rather popular on the internet in recent weeks, posing a special problem for fact-checkers and Biden’s staff. The Republican National Committee, conservative media, and right-wing influencers are circulating these video, which purport to show Biden straying, freezing, or even having an accident. These videos, albeit mostly intact, frequently break when examined more closely or from broader camera angles.
Trending Videos and False Storylines
Among the most prominent examples was a video that allegedly showed Biden attempting to sit on an imaginary chair. As it happened, the camera angle made the chair out of sight. Fact-checkers were having difficulty keeping up with the rapid rise in popularity of the footage, even though the actual story was much less dramatic.
These short, explosive videos have been well-utilized by the conservative media landscape, which makes them perfect for online virality. “The lie is sprinting the 100-meter dash and the fact-check is taking a stroll on the beach,” Democratic strategist Eric Schultz noted. Therefore, it will never catch up.”
Republican Manoeuvre and Public View
Republicans have not expressed regret about these recordings, viewing them as proof of Biden’s consistent conduct. “The videos speak for themselves,” stated Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, in defense of the footage. The fact that the term “cheap fake” is even being used is absurd. These films are not cheap or phony in the slightest. These are actual videos of Joe Biden behaving strangely.
This tactic plays into voters’ preexisting worries about Biden’s seniority and suitability for public service. While fervently fact-checking and offering more context for these recordings, the Biden team must make sure that the fact-checks are seen by the same people who saw the deceptive videos.
Current Events and the Reaction of the Media
In a recent video, Biden was seen attending the Group of Seven summit in Europe. It is said that during the meeting, he “wandered off” until the prime minister of Italy led him. Uncut video, however, showed that Biden was only extending a warm greeting to a paratrooper who had just landed. Despite this, Biden’s courteous interaction with the parachutist was confirmed after the story became so big that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was questioned about it.
A other Juneteenth event tape had identical false information. Republicans claimed that Biden’s inactivity constituted a medical emergency, even though he has always disliked dancing—he didn’t even dance at his first ball in 2021.
Democratic Challenges
Democrats are attempting to stop the distribution of these deceptive movies in two ways. First and foremost, they want to keep them in check in politically engaged internet communities and conservative media circles. They want to stop these snippets from becoming viral by actively fact-checking, releasing longer video segments, and denouncing media sources that present false information.
Second, Democrats are stepping up their own online criticism of Trump by sharing videos of his embarrassing and verbally awkward moments that have the potential to become viral. For example, at a recent rally, Trump demanded that Biden undergo a cognitive test, but he mispronounced the name of the physician who gave him the same test.
The Functions of Conservative and Social Media
The effectiveness of social media algorithms and user behavior are major factors in the virality of these films. Surprising and provocative material may swiftly reach large audiences since platforms frequently reward it. These tapes have also been widely distributed by conservative media sites, such as Fox News and local Sinclair Broadcasting TV stations. These publications frequently repackage the same headlines regarding Biden’s alleged mistakes.
Gazing Ahead
With each passing election cycle, it is anticipated that deceptive films will continue to be distributed. The Biden team, along with its partners, is getting ready to fend against these attacks with quick fact-checks and material that makes sense in context. It is a famously tough task to change voter attitudes impacted by viral material, therefore the problem still stands.
In conclusion, the political environment is still being shaped by the conflict between meticulous fact-checking and false narratives. Voters must learn to navigate the overwhelming amount of political news available online, and media literacy and critical information consumption are becoming more and more important as both parties step up their attempts to influence public opinion.
