In a ridiculous attempt to deflect from President Joe Biden’s palpable confusion during public appearances, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre resorted to branding authentic footage of these moments as “deepfakes” and “cheapfakes.” The tactic is a desperate bid to mask the unsettling reality that we have a commander-in-chief who seems increasingly lost on the world stage. It’s nothing short of an insult to the intelligence of the American people.
The scenes in question are distressing, yet apparently not enough for the White House to address honestly. In one instance, we see Biden awkwardly crouching alone before being seated alongside Jill Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. In another, more troubling episode, he meanders away from a group of G7 leaders until Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni intervenes to guide him back. These are not manipulated videos; they are a raw look at our President’s dwindling coherence.
Jean-Pierre’s assertions came in response to legitimate concerns about Biden’s age and fitness, voiced not just by critics but observable to anyone watching his recent public engagements. During a Juneteenth event, the scene was particularly poignant as George Floyd’s brother appeared to need to rouse a spaced-out Biden amid a musical performance. Even former President Barack Obama felt compelled to lead him by the hand at a recent event—yet another moment Jean-Pierre dismisses as a “cheapfake.”
The White House’s strategy to divert attention from these concerning displays by attacking the veracity of the footage is reckless. It undermines public trust and skirts a crucial conversation about the President’s ability to lead. The insistence on claiming manipulation where there is clear evidence to the contrary not only evades accountability but also suggests a troubling detachment from reality within this administration.
Moreover, this scenario reeks of the boy who cried wolf. Imagine if actual deepfakes or cheapfakes of Biden were to surface; the American populace, already numbed by the White House‘s haphazard finger-pointing, would likely shrug off these claims. This premature blame game could backfire, leaving the administration in a precarious spot when genuine misinformation arises. Jean-Pierre’s claims speak volumes about the administration’s prioritization of image over substance, optics over truth.
The real issue at hand is the visible decline of a President, which no amount of press spin can mask. As these incidents accumulate, the American people deserve transparency and honesty, not dismissal as conspiracy theorists for simply believing their own eyes. If the current administration is unwilling to address these concerns straightforwardly, it is up to the electorate to respond accordingly. The safety and effectiveness of our nation’s leadership are at stake.
