Biden was heckled in Pennsylvania. But profanity in video was digitally added | Fact check

Andre Byik, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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The claim: Video shows profane heckling directed at Biden in Pennsylvania

A Jan. 14 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows President Joe Biden walking toward a bike shop with a group of small business owners and Secret Service agents. Off-screen, apparent onlookers can be heard shouting, "F--- Joe Biden," and, "F--- you!"

"Joe's warm welcome to Allentown, Pa," reads the video's on-screen caption, which includes laughing and U.S. flag emojis.

The post was liked more than 140,000 times in about a month. Similar videos were also posted on X, formerly Twitter.

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Our rating: Altered

The profane comments directed at Biden were digitally added. News videos from the scene contain audio of onlookers heckling Biden, but not profanely.

Altered video embellishes heckling directed at Biden

The video in the post uses authentic footage of Biden visiting several stores on Jan. 12 in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, where The Associated Press reports he stressed the importance of small businesses and touted his economic record.

While news videos published that same day contain audio of Biden being heckled as he walked into the bicycle shop seen in the Instagram video, it is clear that onlookers did not shower the president with expletives.

Fox News reported on the jeers Biden received in a Jan. 12 article, which says onlookers shouted, "Go home, Joe," and, "You're a loser!" The article makes no mention of the type of profane heckling heard in the Instagram video. The article also includes footage that shows the general tenor of the scene was more peaceful and included some cheers for the president.

Fact check: Profane Biden chant edited into video from Army-Navy football game

Other videos from that day also do not contain audio of profane heckling.

USA TODAY has debunked multiple videos that have been altered to include profane chants directed at Biden, including altered video of an Army-Navy football game, Biden's granddaughter's graduation and a speech Biden delivered on gun violence.

The Instagram user who shared the video did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

PolitiFact also debunked the claim.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Video adds cursing directed at Biden in Pennsylvania | Fact check