Claim:
A video authentically shows former U.S. President Barack Obama "scolding" President Joe Biden at Ethel Kennedy's memorial service in October 2024.
Rating:
Unfounded ( About this rating? )
A rumor circulating on X claims that a 44-second video broadcast by C-SPAN shows former U.S. President Barack Obama "scolding" President Joe Biden prior to the start of a memorial service for Ethel Kennedy. Kennedy, known for her efforts as a social activist and as the wife of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, died on Oct. 10, 2024.
Obama, Biden, former President Bill Clinton, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and others spoke at the memorial service. The service took place on Oct. 16 at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington. The Associated Press reported that Pelosi's attendance marked the first time Biden spoke with her since he abandoned his reelection bid.
In a prime example of the rumor, X user @dom_lucre — who had previously promoted false and misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccines and the 2023 Maui wildfires , among other matters — posted on Oct. 16: "DEVELOPING: President Obama was seen scolding Joe Biden at Ethel Kennedy Memorial Service according to viewers. Biden is seen looking confused or worried as Obama looks him directly in the eye while speaking."
The post mentioned a purported "developing" story ( archived ). The user also claimed the account of what took place in the video was "according to viewers." It's unclear how viewers with no more information than other viewers might help the story develop into something more conclusive.
We have yet to uncover any demonstrable evidence that would lend credibility to the claim the video, the audio of which consisted of the dramatic sounds of a cathedral organ — showed Obama "scolding" Biden. The discussion between them appeared to be a serious one, but based on what could be seen in the video itself, the notion that one was scolding the other was purely speculative. As such, we applied our fact-check rating of unfounded — a rating for claims that typically originate as hearsay, speculation or groundless rumor.
X user Acyn Torabi (@Acyn) — a researcher and senior digital editor for the progressive network Meidas Touch — posted ( archived ) the same video with a less assumptive caption, simply reading, "Biden and Obama speaking with each other at the Ethel Kennedy Memorial Service."
Further Claims, Full Video and Remembering Kennedy
Outside of @dom_lucre's evidence-free post, other users also shared their own opinions about the video. Some users asked for a lip-reading expert to weigh in. Others promoted the theory that Biden acted as a " puppet " for an unofficial third Obama term.
For example, one user wrote ( archived ), "Do you all think Barrack [sic] Obama is scolding Joe Biden because he realizes his 4th term is in jeopardy?" Another person posted ( archived ), " At the Ethel Kennedy Memorial Service, Joe Biden's boss, Obama, was visibly upset, looking deeply concerned about something. It seems the shadow presidency has come to an end."
The C-SPAN website hosts the complete memorial service video . The moment shown in the video shared on X begins at the 00:02:43 mark.
For further reading, The Associated Press reported about the speeches and proceedings at Kennedy's memorial service, as well as highlights from her life.
Sources:
Casey, Michael, and Steve LeBlanc. "Ethel Kennedy, Social Activist and Wife of Robert F. Kennedy, Has Died." The Associated Press , 10 Oct. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/ethel-kennedy-dies-00eb88951db24e0cada9bd48b66ad8ea .
Freking, Kevin, and Darlene Superville. "Biden Eulogizes Ethel Kennedy as 'hero' Who Put Her Own Stamp on Country." The Associated Press , 16 Oct. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/ethel-kennedy-memorial-service-biden-5d631cc5cb90f43e612d065df7657662 .
Ibrahim, Nur. "Was Madonna in ICU Due to Complications from COVID Vaccine in June 2023?" Snopes , 29 June 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/madonna-icu-complications-covid-vaccine/ .
Liles, Jordan. "Why Was Obama's Hawaiian Home 'Spared' from Maui Fires? Because It's on Oahu." Snopes , 18 Aug. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//news/2023/08/18/obama-home-maui-fires/ .
"President Biden Remarks at Ethel Kennedy Memorial Service." C-SPAN.org , 16 Oct. 2024, https://www.c-span.org/video/?539264-1/president-biden-remarks-ethel-kennedy-memorial-service .
"Speculation." Cambridge Dictionary , https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/speculation .
"The Latest: Harris and Trump Pivot to Turnout as Early Voting Begins." The Associated Press , 16 Oct. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-election-2024-walz-vance-0cd88792d5e3a69c824131d9ca74789b .
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