Cheap Fakes and the Ease of Manipulating Public Opinion in the Digital Age

The video of President Biden attempting to sit on an invisible chair has gone viral and is being used by Republicans to criticize him. Despite confirmation from major media outlets that the video was edited and misleading, it continues to spread on various platforms. Conservative figures and media channels have also reshared the video, adding to its traction.

The White House has dismissed these videos as “cheap fakes” and criticized Republicans for using them to attack the President. However, Democrats are facing a challenge in handling these manipulated videos as they try to combat their spread on social media. The ease with which these videos can be created and shared makes it difficult for Democrats to counteract their impact on public opinion.

These fake videos, known as “cheap fakes,” are causing headaches for Democratic strategists as they work on strategies to address their spread. Even though the videos have been proven to be fake, they still have the potential to influence voters, particularly those who are concerned about Mr. Biden’s age. His team is working on ways to ensure that accurate information is disseminated to the public.

In response to these attacks, Democrats are considering escalating their own online campaigns against former President Trump, highlighting moments where he appeared confused or made mistakes. By proactively sharing videos that cast doubt on Trump’s mental acuity, they hope to counterbalance the spread of manipulated content targeting President Biden.