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Fact check: What did barron trump say to joe biden at inauguration?
1. Summary of the results
The viral claims about Barron Trump whispering something sinister to Joe Biden during the inauguration are false and misleading [1]. Multiple fact-checking organizations, including Check Your Fact, Lead Stories, and Logically Facts, have debunked these claims [1]. While there was an interaction between Barron Trump and Joe Biden, it was a normal handshake and greeting as confirmed by body language expert Judi James [1] [1]. One lip reader suggested Barron may have said "Exactly" in response to Biden saying "It's good to see you man," though this interpretation is not definitively confirmed [2].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original question stems from a deliberately cropped video that was edited to create a misleading narrative [1]. Multiple reputable news organizations, including Fox News, C-SPAN, and Newsweek, have reviewed the full footage and confirmed that the interaction was nothing more than a polite greeting [1]. Biden's facial expression change, which some used to suggest something sinister was said, has been explained by body language experts as normal during the interaction [1].
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The question itself appears to be influenced by viral misinformation campaigns that attempt to create controversy around routine diplomatic protocols and ceremonies. Several groups benefit from promoting such narratives:
- Social media content creators benefit from increased engagement and views on controversial content
- Political opposition groups benefit from creating narratives that suggest tension or conflict between political figures
- Conspiracy theory communities benefit from creating and spreading alternative interpretations of public events
The fact that multiple reputable fact-checking organizations and news outlets across the political spectrum (from Fox News to Newsweek) have debunked this claim [1] suggests a broad consensus about the misleading nature of these allegations.