The New York Times has recently entered the debate over so-called "cheap fake" videos, a term the White House has promoted in response to clips depicting President Biden looking particularly aged. In the past two weeks, conservative news outlets, the Republican National Committee, and the Trump team have circulated videos of Biden that lacked important context and twisted mundane moments to paint him in an unflattering light. These actions have led to significant controversy and discussion about the portrayal of the president.
One notable incident involved a video suggesting that Biden wandered off during a meeting with other Group of 7 leaders. The New York Post ran an image on its front page implying Biden was lost. However, in reality, he was greeting paratroopers. This discrepancy highlights the issue of misrepresentation in the media. A comparison of the original clip with what CBS claimed was an altered version reveals no significant differences, indicating no tampering took place.
BREAKING: @CBSNews falsely claims that raw footage of Joe Biden at the G7 was "DIGITALLY ALTERED."
Here is a video comparing the "cheap fake" with the raw footage. Please note that they are EXACTLY THE SAME! pic.twitter.com/41AwLVC32Z
— Andrew @ Don’t Walk, RUN! (@DontWalkRUN) June 19, 2024
The larger issue is not the authenticity of the video but the context. In the original clip, Biden indeed appeared to wander off during a standard photo opportunity where all other leaders were facing the cameras. Biden's deviation from the group’s pose led to a subtle yet noticeable repositioning by other leaders to cover his absence. Ursula von der Leyen, Macron, and Italian PM Meloni adjusted their positions, with Meloni eventually guiding Biden back toward the cameras. This moment, while not a "fake," does show Biden losing focus.
Another incident fact-checked by the Associated Press involved Biden appearing to freeze on stage during a fundraiser in Los Angeles. After an interview with former President Obama, Biden paused for about seven seconds amid applause and cheers, seemingly unsure of what to do next. Obama briefly took his arm and guided him off stage.
The video provided by a Biden campaign spokesperson showed Biden interacting with the audience before his pause. Critics argue that Biden’s pause, only resolved by Obama's intervention, was indicative of his frequent moments of confusion.
Here’s the full video of Joe Biden getting lost and wondering away as a parachuter landed at G7.
There’s no defending Biden’s cognitive abilities anymore.
He needs to resign immediately.pic.twitter.com/q03dpnMjEd
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) June 14, 2024
These incidents raise questions about why those around Biden often need to guide him by hand. This pattern suggests a concern among his team about his ability to stay focused in public appearances. Despite media efforts to dismiss these videos as misleading or fake, many viewers, including readers of The New York Times, remain unconvinced. Top comments on related articles express skepticism about the portrayal of Biden’s behavior, emphasizing that both edited and unedited videos reveal moments of confusion and frailty.
To combat these perceptions, some suggest Biden should engage more with the press through live interviews and press conferences. The lack of such appearances adds to the speculation about his competence. Ultimately, while the term "cheap fakes" might apply to some videos, many unaltered clips still paint a concerning picture of Biden's capacity to serve another term as president. The debate over these portrayals continues, with public opinion heavily influenced by both the media narrative and firsthand observations of Biden’s actions.