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Facebook posts
Facebook posts
stated on September 16, 2020 in a Facebook post:

“This Is Real: Biden Waves To An Empty Field.”

False

No, Biden didn’t wave to an empty field in Florida

If your time is short

• Biden was waving to firefighters and ground personnel out of frame. ​

• Two videos more clearly show Biden waving toward a firetruck at the other end of the field.

See the sources for this fact-check

On Sept. 15, Joe Biden arrived in Tampa, Fla., for a campaign event, and as he descended the stairs of the airplane, he waved.  

One video capturing the moment spread quickly on social media as Facebook users shared it with derisive captions suggesting Biden was waving to an empty field. However, the video truly took off when Fox News host Sean Hannity posted it to his account with the title, “This Is Real: Biden Waves To An Empty Field.”

Yes, the video is real — but the field wasn’t empty. 

This Facebook 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.) 

According to an Associated Press reporter who was there with Biden as he left the plane, the Democratic nominee was waving to a group of firefighters and personnel who were out of the  frame due to the camera angle. 

Another video of Biden descending the stairs clearly shows him waving in the direction of a firetruck at the other end of the field. And in yet another video shared by Bloomberg News reporter Tyler Pager, four people are seen standing near the fire truck facing him. 

We rate this post False. 

This fact check is available at IFCN’s 2020 US Elections FactChat #Chatbot on WhatsApp. Click here, for more.

Our Sources

AP, "Video does not show Biden waving to an empty field," Sep. 16, 2020

Facebook post, Sep. 15, 2020

Facebook post, Sep. 15, 2020

Facebook post, Sep. 16, 2020

Tweet, Sep. 15, 2020

Tweet, Sep. 15, 2020

No, Biden didn’t wave to an empty field in Florida

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