Claim: An authentic video recorded in November 2023 authentically depicts an American military chaplain praying alongside President Joe Biden to “bring back Donald J. Trump, our real president”. Our rating? Our Context
Though the visuals in the low-quality video were genuine, its audio of chaplain speaking was changed.
On Nov 23, 2023, a user on X posted an low-quality video depicting U.S. President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and an unidentified U.S. military chaplain kneeling together and bowing their heads in prayer while purporting to hear an audible plea: ‘Please get rid of Joe Biden and bring back Donald J. Trump!
However, this low-quality video had altered audio – in which neither Biden nor Trump by name are mentioned by its chaplain. A Google search returned results showing where else this doctored video had appeared online.
This video was shot during a Thanksgiving-themed gathering held on Nov. 19, 2023, at Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia.
Biden described an unnamed individual who led a full prayer as being their “chaplain”, as can be seen from videos posted by both Forbes Breaking News on YouTube (around 08:30 minute mark) and C-SPAN’s official website (beginning around 8:20):
Let us pray: Lord God and Heavenly Father: By your loving hand we receive everything good – including eternity with You in this earthly realm. Today we come together, grateful for so many blessings – among which liberty was won through many lives lost to ensure its existence for future generations. Thankful that family, close friends and colleagues who support us on a daily basis remain part of our lives; as well as to those who take up leadership for our nation to ensure future generations may also know freedom’s light. We pray for their wisdom in decision making that will ultimately serve you and their people, protecting and strengthening us to advance liberty together. We offer this prayer on behalf of our nation as we ask You for protection while striving to advance liberty together. At Thanksgiving and holiday time, please remember those serving our nation who are deployed. Be there as an additional support system for them as well as their loved ones waiting their return home. As our God who transcends time and distance, you always keep us together in one sacred spirit that unites all humanity. Therefore we ask your divine blessing on this gathering: bless our fellowship; and the food that will be served us all – in your holy name we pray amen.
As additional reading, we previously covered another unfounded rumor circulating about that same Thanksgiving-related event regarding an allegation by Joe Biden regarding comments he reportedly made regarding children.
