The claim: Biden admitted his betrayal
A June 26 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows a clip of President Joe Biden saying he ‘sold a lot of state secrets’ as he sits next to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other officials.
“#JoeBiden admits his TREASON!” reads the message caption. “My God!”
“The post generated over 8,000 likes in less than a week. Similar posts, including those from a former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Lake Kari be p. Republican of Georgia. Marjorie Taylor Greenehave accumulated hundreds of interactions on Instagram and Twitter.
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Our opinion: False
Biden did not say he committed treason during a July 23 roundtable. The context and tone of his remarks make it clear that the state secrets comment was a joke, and he later clarified that he was joking.
Publication misrepresents Biden’s remarks at roundtable
On June 23, Biden hosted a roundtable with Modi, senior officials and tech company CEOs to discuss ways India and the United States can partner in the design and development of new technologies.
But Biden did not admit he committed treason at the event. Instead, the Instagram post cuts off subsequent comments where Biden indicates his state secrets comment was a joke.
As noted in the message, Biden said at the start of the event, according to a White House transcript:
“Okay. We – I was just thanking the – anyway, I started without you, and I sold a lot of state secrets and a lot of very important things that we shared.
He goes on to say, “Now, joking aside – look, we’re partnering to design and develop new technologies that will transform the lives of our people around the world,” according to the transcript and a longer clip of his remarks.
Fact check: The message incorrectly compares the gun offenses of Hunter Biden and Kodak Black
The Associated Press reported that Biden made the joke as he, Modi and other guests were already seated and reporters began to enter the room.
The post comes amid allegations by House Republicans on the Oversight and Accountability Committee that Biden’s involvement in his family’s business dealings was potentially inappropriate or a threat to national security.
USA TODAY reached out to the White House and social media users who shared the request for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
The Associated Press, Lead Stories and Factcheck.org also denied this claim.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Post misinterprets Biden’s comment on state secrets | Fact check