In recent weeks, several misleading videos of President Joe Biden have circulated on social media, portraying him as mentally and physically unfit for office. These videos, taken out of context or edited, have fueled a narrative that Biden is weak, confused, or senile. The age of both Biden and his opponent in the 2024 election, former President Donald Trump, has made these tactics especially powerful. Both Republicans and Democrats are expected to use such misleading videos to attack each other’s candidates.
One of the videos showed Biden sitting down while commemorating D-Day in France, but it was edited to falsely claim he was reaching for a nonexistent chair. Another video at the G7 summit in Italy made it appear as though Biden had wandered off, when in reality he was greeting paratroopers. These videos have been effective in activating concerns about Biden’s competency, given his age and mobility issues. Despite his physician confirming that Biden is fit for duty, these attacks continue to spread online.
The Trump campaign has embraced these misleading videos, circulating memes and defining “cheap fakes” as any unedited video showing Biden’s cognitive decline. Social media influencers and campaigns have piled on, perpetuating misinformation about Biden’s age and fitness for office. The attention economy within conservative media has further amplified these attacks, leading to widespread circulation of the misleading videos.
Democrats are also fighting back by highlighting Trump’s own moments of confusion and senility in response to the attacks on Biden. Both sides are expected to intensify their attacks on each other’s age and competency as the 2024 election approaches. The use of misleading videos and images to paint a false narrative about the candidates is expected to continue, with both parties trying to mobilize their voter base rather than persuade undecided voters.
Experts caution that such misinformation may not directly influence voters’ decisions but could impact their enthusiasm to participate in the political process. As the first debate between Trump and Biden approaches, both candidates will face pressure to demonstrate their health, sharpness, and fitness for the presidency. The election is expected to be close, with Democrats and Republicans focusing on mobilizing their respective voter bases. Overall, the use of misleading videos to shape public perception of the candidates is likely to play a significant role in the upcoming election.
