Current:Home > ContactFACT FOCUS: Online reports falsely claim Biden suffered a ‘medical emergency’ on Air Force One -Capitatum
FACT FOCUS: Online reports falsely claim Biden suffered a ‘medical emergency’ on Air Force One
Algosensey Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-07 00:58:30
False reports that President Joe Biden had a “medical emergency” while traveling back to Delaware on Friday after a campaign stop in Wisconsin, spread widely on social media on Friday. They were without merit.
Here’s a look at the facts.
___
CLAIM: President Joe Biden had a “medical emergency” aboard Air Force One on Friday.
AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. There were no signs of a medical emergency on the flight, according to an Associated Press reporter who was traveling with Biden. Air Force One arrived at Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware, at 7:22 p.m. The president exited the plane on his own, saluted and spoke with an officer at the base of the stairs and took a question from a reporter before leaving the airport.
THE FACTS: As Biden returned to his home in Wilmington, Delaware, after a campaign stop in Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday social media users falsely claimed that the president had suffered a “medical emergency” aboard Air Force One.
Air Force One landed in New Castle, Delaware, at 7:22 p.m. about the same time posts started spreading about Biden’s alleged medical emergency.
“I just received a tip from an anonymous source,” reads one X post. “My source says that Joe Biden is currently experiencing a medical emergency on Air Force One as I type this. No further details are known.”
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Democracy: American democracy has overcome big stress tests since 2020. More challenges lie ahead in 2024.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
- Read the latest: Follow AP’s complete coverage of this year’s election.
Another X post states: “Joe Biden is reportedly having a medical emergency on Air Force One right now. Press access has been removed.” It had received approximately 15,000 likes and 10,900 shares as of Saturday morning.
The posts presented no evidence that such an event occurred. Press access was not removed.
Video shows Biden walking down the steps of Air Force One in Delaware, speaking with an officer, answering a reporter’s question about whether he would watch a highly anticipated interview he did with ABC News’ George Stephanopolous and getting into a car, all without issue.
There were no signs of an emergency aboard Air Force One and the press was not denied access to the plane at any point, according to an AP reporter who was traveling on Air Force One with Biden during the flight from Wisconsin to Delaware. The reporter added that press was able to move about the plane as usual and that a door separating press from Biden’s top staff was open for most of the flight.
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates called the claim “100% false” in an X post on Friday night.
Other posts claimed that the press did not see Biden when the presidential motorcade arrived at his home Friday night and that his campaign had canceled upcoming events as a result of the supposed emergency.
A press pool was in Biden’s motorcade when he was dropped off at his Wilmington home, according to the AP reporter who was traveling with the president. The reporter said journalists did not see him enter the house, but they routinely do not see him enter his Wilmington home because it is set back from the street and it is typical to only see the motorcade going through the gates leading to the house.
Biden had no public events planned for Saturday. He was scheduled to speak at a National Education Association convention on Sunday, but canceled after the union’s staff announced a strike on Friday.
“President Biden is a fierce supporter of unions and he won’t cross a picket line,” his campaign said in a statement. “The President is still planning to travel to Pennsylvania this weekend.”
___
Associated Press reporters Colleen Long and Zeke Miller contributed to this report.
___
Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Stock market today: Asian stocks are mixed after Wall Street slips to its worst loss in 4 months
- How mapping 'heat islands' can help cities prepare for extreme heat
- Veteran seeking dismissal of criminal charge for subduing suspect in attack on Muslim lawmaker
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- U.K. mulls recognizing a Palestinian state to advance two-state solution, defuse Israel-Hamas war
- How mapping 'heat islands' can help cities prepare for extreme heat
- South Dakota man charged in 2013 death of girlfriend takes plea offer, avoiding murder charge
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- NCAA spent years fighting losing battles and left itself helpless to defend legal challenges
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- South Dakota man charged in 2013 death of girlfriend takes plea offer, avoiding murder charge
- Jury hears that Michigan school shooter blamed parents for not getting him help
- Massachusetts turns recreational plex into shelter for homeless families, including migrants
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- New Mexico will not charge police officers who fatally shot man at wrong address
- Kentucky spending plan calling for more state funding of student transportation advances
- From Zendaya to Simone Biles, 14 quotes from young icons to kick off Black History Month
Recommendation
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
Duchess Meghan, Prince Harry share emotional message after Senate hearing on online safety
Charges, counter charges as divorce between Miami Dolphins, Vic Fangio turns messy
Margot Robbie reflects on impact of 'Barbie,' Oscars snubs: 'There's no way to feel sad'
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Judge: Florida official overstepped authority in DeSantis effort to stop pro-Palestinian group
OnlyFans Model Courtney Clenney’s Parents Arrested in Connection With Evidence Tampering in Murder Case
Russell Brand denies 'very hurtful' assault allegations in Tucker Carlson interview