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Viral image
Viral image
stated on May 17, 2021 in a Facebook post:

Photo shows Joe Biden groping Jen Psaki.

Pants on Fire!

No, this isn’t a real photo of Joe Biden and Jen Psaki

If your time is short

  • This photo is doctored.
 
See the sources for this fact-check

An old, doctored photo that appears to show President Joe Biden inappropriately touching a woman is back with a new twist. Now the image features White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who wasn’t in the original photo. 

This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

The original photo was taken at a 2013 holiday party when Biden was vice president. It shows him with his hands on the waist of The Hill reporter Amie Parnes. The picture drew attention back then because Biden was criticized for how high his hands were. 

“Photo of famously friendly Biden goes viral,” read a Today headline.

“Vice President Joe Biden gropes White House reporter,” the Daily Caller said.  

Parnes had published the photo on her Facebook page, according to Today. She and Biden were joined by an NBC producer and then-second lady Jill Biden. 

But later that month, a blog posted a fake news story with a doctored photo that showed Biden’s hands much higher, on her chest. A bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon also appears to be sticking out of his pocket.

We rated claims that the photo was authentic False. Now that Psaki’s been edited into the image, we’re upping the ante. Pants on Fire!

Our Sources

Facebook post, May 17, 2021

Facebook post, Nov. 12, 2017

PolitiFact, An image that appears to show Joe Biden groping a woman is altered, Feb. 14, 2020

Today, Photo of famously friendly Biden goes viral, Dec. 17, 2013

Daily Caller, Vice President Joe Biden gropes White House reporter, Dec. 16, 2013

World News Bureau, Biden sexually molests reporter, Dec. 16, 2013

 

No, this isn’t a real photo of Joe Biden and Jen Psaki

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on January 7, 2026 a press briefing

stated on January 14, 2026 a statement

Social Media
stated on February 14, 2026 social media posts



stated on January 20, 2026 an op-ed


Donald Trump
stated on February 3, 2026 remarks in the Oval Office


Social Media
stated on February 8, 2026 social media posts





Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
stated on stated on November 17, 2025 in remarks at George Washington University:

Donald Trump
stated on February 2, 2026 an interview with Dan Bongino