The claim: Video shows Harris saying Biden is ‘unstable’
An Oct. 16 Instagram video (direct link, archived link) shows an interviewer asking Vice President Kamala Harris about when she first noticed President Joe Biden’s “mental faculties appeared diminished.”
In response, Harris repeatedly says, “He’s unstable.”
On-screen text reads, “Kamala on Joe Bidens (sic) mental fitness.”
The post garnered more than 2,000 likes in a day.
More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page
Our rating: Altered
The clip is edited to make it appear that Harris is talking about Biden. The original footage shows Harris using the word “unstable” after the interviewer asked for her thoughts on former President Donald Trump’s mental fitness.
Harris called Trump, not Biden, ‘unstable’
Harris sat down with Fox News anchor Bret Baier for an interview on Oct. 16 to discuss topics such as immigration and the economy. During the interview, Baier switched to the subject of mental fitness.
But Baier didn’t ask Harris about Biden’s well-being – he was asking about Trump.
The original footage published by Fox News shows the anchor asking, “You called Donald Trump, he’s misguided. You say now-“
Harris interrupted Baier to say, “He’s unstable. He is unstable, Bret.”
After reiterating the fact that Harris thinks Trump is mentally unwell, Baier posed a question about Biden, saying, “Let me ask you this. You told many interviewers that Joe Biden was on his game, that ran around circles on his staff. When did you first notice that President Joe Biden’s mental faculties appeared diminished?”
Fact check: Mike Pence endorsed Kamala Harris for president? No, clip is doctored
Harris replied, “Joe Biden, I have watched from the Oval Office to the Situation Room. And he has the judgment and the experience to do exactly what he has done in making very important decisions on behalf of the American people.”
A transcript of the interview and a CNN article listing the interview’s key statements illustrate the same exchange between the two.
USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
PolitiFact also debunked the claim.
Our fact-check sources:
Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.
USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.
