Just unbelievable. It’s not only how these “fact-checkers” go about checking their facts, but what they choose as worthy of a fact-check. Plenty of people joked on Twitter Thursday night that President Joe Biden had made the alleged white power symbol during his town hall on CNN with Anderson Cooper. The fact is, he did:
Perhaps forgetting how many times that accusation was thrown around as “very serious” during the Trump administration, Reuters thought it worthy of further inspection.
U.S. President Joe Biden's hand gesture at a CNN town hall in Baltimore did not indicate white power, contrary to claims on social media. He made the hand gesture while saying corporations pay “zero cents”, in response to a question about tax rates https://t.co/IBNSPVhjmJ pic.twitter.com/86283pZlVh
— Reuters Fact Check (@ReutersFacts) October 23, 2021
“Contrary to claims on social media.” Reuters writes, citing obviously serious tweets by … Tim Young and Libs of Tik Tok:
Around timestamp 14:03 he can be heard saying: “You have 55 corporations for example in the United States of America making over 40 billion dollars, don’t pay a cent, not a single little red cent.”
He made the gesture pointed out on social media when saying “don’t pay a cent.”
There is no indication his gesture was in any way connected with white power. A transcript of the event is viewable on CNN’s website
…
VERDICT
Missing context. Biden made this hand gesture while saying corporations pay “zero cents”, in response to a question about tax rates.
“Missing context” … well, what if we put it in context of Biden saying that “poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids” or saying “you ain’t black” if you don’t support his campaign?
So, you’re saying it’s strictly context that determines if he’s indicating “zero” or “white power”?
Maybe he was just saying “OK”.
Or maybe he was indicating a 3-point shot in basketball.
No, I’m sure he was indicating it was a quality pizza. pic.twitter.com/rCXJPU4wP4
— 100 Proof 🥃 (@ChampionCapua) October 23, 2021
🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
— Colleen (@pensfan871987) October 23, 2021
No it was definitely white power. I saw it. It happened. Please revise.
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) October 23, 2021
I saw it too. I felt unsafe.
— Clown Variants All Around Me 🦠🤡👩🏻💻🤡🦠 (@AllyGeighter) October 23, 2021
— Marie Arf 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 (@schwingcat) October 23, 2021
Pretty sure I saw some Nordic runes on that set
Better check carefully
— Chris (@chriswithans) October 23, 2021
…I don’t think they were serious…
— I Believe in Nashville (@genethelawyer) October 23, 2021
— janezstyle (@janezstyle) October 23, 2021
— Jaybird (@OG_Jaybird) October 23, 2021
I know my truth.
— el Duderino (@dinglebees) October 23, 2021
No, that was definately a white power sign. I learned that betwn 2015-2020.
— Angelab (@anglily1) October 23, 2021
Now do the Jeopardy! guy. Also, that’s still a false claim. Great work guys.
— Rob Farley (@RFF_327) October 23, 2021
Oh so context matters now when it comes to the 👌hand gesture
— Lucius (@Sulla_1993) October 23, 2021
The mileage 4chan got out of this is stunning.
— CarlosDanger (@Danger2Carlos) October 23, 2021
I was literally shaking.
— Crush Wallstreet (@Wallstreet1975) October 23, 2021
So just so I have this clear: Reuters' fact checking organization is indicating that just because someone makes a circle with thumb and index finger and extends the other fingers on that hand, that doesn't automatically make that person a secret white supremacist? Interesting.
— Dracones — No Soupian Brigand CPhT (@Dracones24601) October 23, 2021
During the Trump administration, it literally was grounds for an immediate and lengthy investigation, like that cadet at the Army/Navy game.
I was under the impression that intention didn't matter, we not doing that anymore?
— Second Class Citizen Ross Johnson (@peerlessimagery) October 23, 2021
Prove it, Reuters.
— P+ (@SpaceOperative) October 23, 2021
Biden has said a lot of racist things in his 50 years in politics, including calling his former boss “clean” and “articulate.”
I have a hunch that you wouldn't be fact checking this if a certain other President had done the same.
— Kenny Reid (@KennethReid2010) October 23, 2021
It was a dog whistle
— Hot Toddie 🎬 (@Phineas_Fogg) October 23, 2021
The DOJ investigated a rope on a garage door and exercise equipment on a tree.
— Eddie from Acworth (@eddiemattingly) October 23, 2021
I journalismed some facts today. pic.twitter.com/O0idlRFeSD
— Texas_American (@TexasAmerican3) October 23, 2021
I don’t feel safe.
— elderzweibel (@elderzweibel) October 23, 2021
This one's a toughy was he saying Kamala was 0 % percent surprised at her "surprise" party or white power? pic.twitter.com/jlXMhGvf0Z
— Santos L Halper (@ubme4aday) October 23, 2021
I guess this all (D)epends on the politics of the person making this gesture.
— Aldous Huxley's Ghost™ (@AF632) October 23, 2021
I can’t believe y’all wrote this article. 😂🤡
— TXLakeGirl (@TXlakegirl2021) October 23, 2021
We can’t either. Tim Young obviously represents millions who were being very serious about the whole thing.
— Hotep 悪い (@HotepWario) October 23, 2021
Let’s Go Brandon! pic.twitter.com/QVJonwvk1Z
— Polybius Champion🐂💨 (@PolybiusChamp) October 23, 2021
But has he disavowed the hate? pic.twitter.com/ERSwq3MMmR
— CFO (@GrandpaTMoney) October 23, 2021
Good point:
Are we “fact checking” the zero cents statement or nah?
— bayl4087 (@bayl4087) October 23, 2021
Related:
‘I want to see people get sued’: ‘Jeopardy!’ contestant defamed for not apologizing enough for not making a white power gesture https://t.co/Uvs3rs7PTk
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) May 4, 2021
Join the conversation as a VIP Member