A photo shows President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy holding hands.
Photo of Biden, Zelenskyy holding hands was altered
If your time is short
- This photo was altered. The original doesn’t show the presidents holding hands.
President Joe Biden made a surprise trip to Ukraine on Feb. 20, and he was photographed walking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outside of a monastery in Kyiv.
Multiple news outlets have published the picture. But an altered version of the photo is spreading on social media.
“TFW your sugar daddy keeps paying your bills so you have to hold his hand in public,” the description of the altered image says, using an abbreviation for “that feeling when.” The image appears to show Biden and Zelenskyy holding hands, their fingers entwined.
An Instagram post sharing the image was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)
Biden announced more military aid for Ukraine on the trip, but the image, taken for The New York Times by photographer Daniel Berehulak, is doctored.
We rate claims the photo is authentic False.
Our Sources
Instagram post, Feb. 20, 2023
Star Tribune, A surprise trip to show U.S. resolve, Feb. 20, 2023
Reuters, Biden promises new military aid for Kyiv during 'historic' visit, Feb. 20, 2023
