Following an incident last week where President Joe Biden appeared to read aloud teleprompter directions during a speech, the White House released a transcript of his remarks that many said did not match up with reality.
The president was speaking from the White House on Friday about his executive order meant to increase abortion access. The apparent gaffe came as he criticized the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the so-called constitutional “right” to abortion.
“One of the most extraordinary parts of the decision, in my view, is the majority writes, and I quote, ‘Women…”— it’s a quote now, from the majority—’Women are not without electoral or political power. It is noteworthy that the percentage of women who registered to vote and cast a ballot is consistently higher than the percentage of the men who do so,'” Biden said.
At that point, he appeared to read the instructions on the teleprompter.
“End of quote,” Biden said. “Repeat the line,” he added, before repeating part of the quote.
While it seemed clear to most observers that Biden had made a gaffe, White House assistant press secretary Emilie Simons claimed on Twitter that Biden actually said, “Let me repeat this line.”
No. He said, "let me repeat that line."
— Emilie Simons (@EmilieSimons46) July 8, 2022
The official White House transcript made a similar claim — effectively arguing that Biden’s words made sense and did not constitute a gaffe.
White House transcript of Biden remarks is now incorrectly aligned with what this WH assistant press secretary falsely claimed on Twitter, despite the video showing Biden clearly stating “End of quote. Repeat the line.” & *not* “Let me repeat the line.”https://t.co/fJrzgfdbEy https://t.co/GX3zftIEtB pic.twitter.com/snrRHnHRIr
— Jerry Dunleavy (@JerryDunleavy) July 8, 2022
But social media users weren’t buying it.
Yes, I totally believe you and your boss is definitely not a vegetable.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) July 8, 2022
✍️uh✍️oh✍️ pic.twitter.com/bMu94d1xUv
— The List (@ListComesForAll) July 8, 2022
He didn’t though. https://t.co/vxWgTJtiYd
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 8, 2022
You know we can see the video, right?
— Bob Salera (@BobSalera) July 8, 2022
.@EmilieSimons46, sure seems like you’re the one who doctored the official transcript to cover up for Biden’s cognitive issues. pic.twitter.com/vZe5XoOcqP
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) July 9, 2022
They are spitting in your face & telling you it’s rain. @WhiteHouse modifying the transcript to pretend @POTUS obvious gaffe was intended to be part of the speech. https://t.co/M2M9hwhRzv
It says though they think the video doesn’t exist. Or people will choose to believe the lie https://t.co/NeBK9DHYVG pic.twitter.com/IAz90ZADbD
— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) July 10, 2022
“They are spitting in your face & telling you it’s rain. @WhiteHouse modifying the transcript to pretend @POTUS obvious gaffe was intended to be part of the speech,” commentator Viva Frei tweeted.
“It says though they think the video doesn’t exist. Or people will choose to believe the lie.”