Audio altered to include ‘Let’s go, Brandon’ chant in Biden video
A video appears to show a crowd chanting “Let’s go, Brandon” during President Joe Biden’s visit to London for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. But that isn’t what happened. Let’s look at the facts.
NewsLit takeaway
Doctored photos often include indications they have been altered. Manipulated audio, however, can be more difficult to detect. This video seems to capture a London crowd’s reaction to Biden’s presidential motorcade. How can you determine if it’s real?
First, check the source. Which accounts shared this video? Were they credible? We found that the video was shared by meme and partisan accounts that often amplify falsehoods aligning to their interests.
Then, find the original footage and compare it to the viral version. The video was initially captured by a British reporter for the Telegraph and ran in UK news outlets such as The Evening Standard, according to Reuters. It shows Biden in his motorcade as a few people in the crowd cheer, but none are chanting “Let’s go, Brandon,” as in the doctored video. By comparing the footage, you can see the audio in the viral clip was clearly altered.
Altering audio is one tactic purveyors of misinformation use to mislead their audience. While this content may seem genuine at first glance, social media users can determine its authenticity by searching for the original source.