Biden was giving thumbs up to skydivers, not wandering in viral G7 video
Editor's note: This story has been updated with information from additional video footage.
President Joe Biden was seen motioning to skydivers at a G7 event in Italy on video posted to social media after critics seized on another clip, which did not clearly show that additional detail, to say he appeared to wander off from a group of world leaders.
Footage broadcast by MSNBC and shared on X by White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates shows Biden giving a thumbs up as he motioned over to a group of skydivers. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni then got his attention and the group of world leaders reconvened around him.
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Other clips posted to social media had not shown the full group of skydivers in view and were used by critics of Biden to reiterate a conservative theme in an election year of questioning the president's mental fitness.
A White House spokesperson clarified the video frame did not include what he was walking towards.
Here is what to know about the video from Biden at the G7 Summit:
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White House blames 'right-wing propaganda'
Bates blamed "right-wing propaganda" for mischaracterizing the video in several posts on X.
"He's saying congratulations to one of the divers and giving a thumbs up," Bates explained on X. The original clip that went viral on social media showed a uniformed person in the lower corner appearing to be packing a parachute.
What is the G7 Summit?
The Group of Seven allies, known as the G7, consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S.
The annual summit is being held in the Puglia region of Italy Thursday through Saturday.
Biden is meeting with other leaders who appeared in the skydiving video including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The European Union also participates in G7 Summit discussions.
Biden signs Ukraine security agreement at G7 Summit
The first day of this year's G7 Summit, Biden signed an agreement to pledge military support to Ukraine in its war with Russia over the next 10 years. However that deal could fall apart if Donald Trump is elected in November.
On the agenda for Friday is immigration and economic security, Reuters reported. Pope Francis also lead a discussion on artificial intelligence.
China is also likely to be a big discussion point. The summit ends Saturday but Biden is scheduled to leave Friday evening, skipping a final news conference scheduled for Saturday.
Contributing: Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden was giving thumbs up to skydivers, not wandering in viral G7 video