Fact-Checking the False Claim: Trump Forgot to Swear In Tulsi Gabbard as DNI
Introduction
A recent post on the social media platform Threads has garnered considerable attention, alleging that former President Donald Trump experienced cognitive decline during an Oval Office ceremony. The post claimed that Trump forgot to swear in Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), leading to stunned reactions from the media. However, this claim is entirely false and the video evidence clearly refutes the misleading narrative.
Misinformation in the Threads Post
The Threads post falsely asserts that Trump attempted to leave the Oval Office before swearing in Gabbard as DNI. It also insinuates that Trump’s mental faculties were impaired due to his advanced age. The post gained traction, receiving over 2,900 likes within 10 days.
Fact-Checking the Video
Upon careful examination, the video clip attached to the Threads post reveals a deliberate misrepresentation of the events. The video solely captures Trump’s departure from the Oval Office after the swearing-in ceremony had already concluded.
Swearing-In of Tulsi Gabbard as DNI
C-SPAN footage of the Oval Office ceremony confirms that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi administered the oath of office to Gabbard as DNI. Trump stood as a witness during the swearing-in.
Trump’s Exit from the Oval Office
After Gabbard’s swearing-in, the video shows Trump fielding questions from reporters for approximately 26 minutes. It was only after concluding the press Q&A session that Trump thanked the journalists and exited the room.
Correction from The Chris Salcedo Show
The Threads post misconstrued the commentary provided by The Chris Salcedo Show on Newsmax. Salcedo’s statement about not seeing Gabbard being sworn in was made in reference to the show’s delayed feed, which had not presented the swearing-in portion of the ceremony. Salcedo’s show subsequently acknowledged the production error and corrected the misinformation.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump forgot to swear in Gabbard as DNI is unequivocally false. The video evidence demonstrates that the ceremony proceeded as expected, with Gabbard taking the oath administered by Bondi. Trump’s exit from the Oval Office occurred after the completion of the ceremony and was not an indication of cognitive decline.
The false narrative perpetuated by the Threads post highlights the dangers of unchecked misinformation. By relying on distorted information, individuals may draw inaccurate conclusions and potentially damage the reputation of public figures. It is crucial to verify information from credible sources and question claims that align with biases or preconceived notions.
