Satirical Jimmy Kimmel video showing movers at White House prompts fact-checks

A satirical video purporting to show Donald Trump being moved out of the White House has gone viral on social media, prompting fact-checks.

The clip shows the US president talking to a camera in the Rose Garden, making various baseless claims about Democrats and the 2020 general election.

In the background, movers can be seen carrying boxes and other items, loading them into a moving truck. In the context of the presidential race, the video makes it look as though Trump is being moved out of the White House even as he continues railing against the electoral process.

The humorous video was shared earlier this month by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. His version comes with an ABC logo on the bottom right corner, and the caption: “Moving day at the White House.” It also includes a laugh track, which makes it clear that the clip is satirical.

A version the clip has been shared on social media by various people. Ludacris, who has more than 12 million followers on Instagram, reposted it last week.

That version of the video comes with the caption: “Movers carry out Trump belongings from the White House as he still complains about the election.” The ABC logo does not appear in some of these versions, but the laugh track is still there.

The caption in that version also comes with several emoji, including two laughing faces – but some social media users appear to have been left wondering whether the footage is real.

In order to clarify the situation, some outlets, such as USA Today, have fact-checked the video and provided additional context – highlighting the fact that the clip comes from a late-night TV segment and does not depict real events.

The video of Trump addressing the camera from the Rose Garden dates back to September 2019. He shared it on his own Twitter account with the caption: “They are trying to stop ME, because I am fighting for YOU!”

Joe Biden has won the 2020 presidential election and is now the president-elect. He will be inaugurated on 20 January, 2021. Inauguration Day is also when a new president moves into the White House, and the outgoing president moves out.

Trump’s administration has so far refused to engage with Biden’s transition, blocking the president-elect from key information and funding.

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