Fact Check: Truth Behind Claim Biden Tried to Sit in 'Invisible Chair' at 80th D-Day Anniversary in Normandy

Claim:

U.S. President Joe Biden tried to sit in an "invisible chair" at the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France.

Rating:

Context:

Social media users variously claimed that Biden's awkward pose in a brief video clip of the June 6, 2024, D-Day ceremony in Normandy meant Biden had either started to sit down in a nonexistent chair or “pooped his pants.” Video evidence provides context confirming Biden was beginning to sit down on a chair that was, in fact, directly behind him.

On June 6, 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day by attending a ceremony in Normandy, France. French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, attended, as well as other dignitaries.

Numerous users on X virally shared a rumor claiming a confused Biden attempted during the ceremony to sit in an "invisible chair." Some of the posts spreading this rumor shared as purported proof a 12-second video originally posted by X user RNC Research (@RNCResearch) — the GOP's official rapid response account. That post only included a one-word text caption with a grimacing emoji reading, "Awkward." Donald Trump Jr. also shared the clip, although without the chair rumor. (Other users posted the same clip claiming Biden "pooped" his pants.)

The 12-Second Video

YouTube users also re-uploaded the same brief clip the RNC Research account originally posted.

The Rumor Is False

However, a review of a longer version of the video confirmed the rumor Biden tried to sit in an "invisible chair" was false. Biden, his wife and the Macrons all sat down in chairs positioned behind them in the moments right after the 12-second video clip ended.

Here's What Really Happened

The sequence of events leading to the rumored "invisible chair" moment began with a special part of the ceremony. After Macron delivered remarks to the gathered crowd, he presented France's highest decoration of the National Order of the Legion of Honor to multiple American World War II veterans seated on stage. Biden followed Macron across the stage and also greeted each of the honored veterans.

Upon finishing the honors, Macron and Biden both returned to stand in front of their chairs alongside their wives. These chairs were not visible in the brief video clip originally shared by the RNC Research account later reposted by other users. Biden then reached down to sit but hesitated for a brief moment while the Macrons and Jill Biden continued to stand. However, again, seconds later the Macrons and Bidens all sat down in their chairs.

In other words, on a day honoring veterans from what former news anchor Tom Brokaw popularized as "The Greatest Generation," some online users chose to use the freedom those same veterans helped secure to share false information with their fellow Americans.

Longer Video for Context

Readers can watch the full moment at the 4:16:21 mark in this video posted on the YouTube channel for The Times and The Sunday Times.

A Familiar Rumor

We previously reported about a similar rumor also involving Biden, the military and a video posted on the RNC Research X account.

In November 2023, Biden and the first lady shared an early Thanksgiving meal with U.S. service members and their families at Norfolk Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. During Biden's speech at the event, he greeted a young girl at the front of the crowd who was wearing a headband with a design of cat ears. Video showed several service members, family members and others in attendance smiling at the lighthearted moment.

The RNC Research account then shared a brief clip of the same moment with a text caption in quotes reading "I love your ears." That post on X appeared to lead to headlines in news articles from right-wing blogs subjectively calling the moment "creepy" — a reference to other past videos and photos purportedly showing Biden interacting in controversial ways with women and children. Read the full story for more details.

Sources:

Bauder, David. "Tom Brokaw Says He's Retiring from NBC News after 55 Years." The Associated Press, 22 Jan. 2021, https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-television-brian-williams-richard-nixon-journalism-b6a6f9dee555f378c2a54d089aeeffbb.

Liles, Jordan. "EXPLAINER: Biden's 'I Love Your Ears' Remark to 6-Year-Old Girl Was About Her Headband with Cat Ears." Snopes, 20 Nov. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//news/2023/11/20/biden-love-your-ears/.

"LIVE: Biden and Macron Mark 80th D-Day Anniversary in Normandy." YouTube, The Times and The Sunday Times, 6 June 2024, https://www.youtube.com/live/y3bHBGyICbA.

Miller, Zeke, and Chris Megerian. "Biden Calls for Solidarity with Ukraine at D-Day Anniversary Ceremony near the Beaches of Normandy." The Associated Press, 6 June 2024, https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-dday-80th-anniversary-france-b868fe789d2fe95b776c24c17543b510.

The Legion of Honor in 10 Questions | La Grande Chancellerie. https://www.legiondhonneur.fr/en/page/legion-honor-10-questions/406.