Does Video Present Obama 'Scolding' Biden at Ethel Kennedy's Memorial Service?

A rumor circulating on X claims {that a} 44-second video broadcast by C-SPAN exhibits former U.S. President Barack Obama “scolding” President Joe Biden previous to the beginning of a memorial service for Ethel Kennedy. Kennedy, recognized for her efforts as a social activist and because the spouse of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, died on Oct. 10, 2024.

Obama, Biden, former President Invoice Clinton, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and others spoke on the memorial service. The service happened on Oct. 16 on the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington. The Associated Press reported that Pelosi’s attendance marked the primary time Biden spoke along with her since he deserted his reelection bid.

In a chief instance of the rumor, X person @dom_lucre — who had beforehand promoted false and deceptive claims about COVID-19 vaccines and the 2023 Maui wildfires, amongst different issues — posted on Oct. 16: “DEVELOPING: President Obama was seen scolding Joe Biden at Ethel Kennedy Memorial Service in line with viewers. Biden is seen trying confused or fearful as Obama seems him immediately within the eye whereas talking.”

The publish talked about a purported “growing” story (archived). The person additionally claimed the account of what happened within the video was “in line with viewers.” It is unclear how viewers with no extra data than different viewers would possibly assist the story grow to be one thing extra conclusive.

We’ve but to uncover any demonstrable proof that may lend credibility to the declare the video, the audio of which consisted of the dramatic sounds of a cathedral organ — confirmed Obama “scolding” Biden. The dialogue between them gave the impression to be a critical one, however based mostly on what could possibly be seen within the video itself, the notion that one was scolding the opposite was purely speculative. As such, we utilized our fact-check score of unfounded — a score for claims that sometimes originate as rumour, hypothesis or groundless rumor.

X person Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) — a researcher and senior digital editor for the progressive community Meidas Contact — posted (archived) the identical video with a much less assumptive caption, merely studying, “Biden and Obama talking with one another on the Ethel Kennedy Memorial Service.”

Additional Claims, Full Video and Remembering Kennedy

Outdoors of @dom_lucre’s evidence-free publish, different customers additionally shared their very own opinions concerning the video. Some users asked for a lip-reading knowledgeable to weigh in. Others promoted the theory that Biden acted as a “puppet” for an unofficial third Obama time period.

For instance, one person wrote (archived), “Do you all assume Barrack [sic] Obama is scolding Joe Biden as a result of he realizes his 4th time period is in jeopardy?” One other particular person posted (archived), “On the Ethel Kennedy Memorial Service, Joe Biden’s boss, Obama, was visibly upset, trying deeply involved about one thing. It appears the shadow presidency has come to an finish.”

The C-SPAN web site hosts the entire memorial service video. The second proven within the video shared on X begins on the 00:02:43 mark.

For additional studying, The Associated Press reported concerning the speeches and proceedings at Kennedy’s memorial service, in addition to highlights from her life.

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