I am aware that there is a plethora of unending conspiracy theories, deadly disinformation, and poisonous propaganda that we Americans are constantly exposed to. Which is why I try so carefully to research my resources and ensure that they are grounded in truth and integrity. Still, sometimes I get it wrong. And gratefully there are many wise people in my life who help me to understand when something is off.
This article from 2021 shines light on yet another conspiracy theory that has circulated for some time which has fueled disinformation and division, fear and trauma, and the anguish and heartbreak of feeling profoundly “othered.” My heart breaks that so many have suffered so deeply from misinformation and disinformation. And, tragically — and more than all other countries — at its height America also experienced the most deaths from Covid-19.
Most of these, and since vaccines were made available, were preventable. Have there been harmful side effects for some who have gotten the vaccine? Yes, absolutely. It is also true that when comparing the number of deaths from those who have been vaccinated to those who have not, the vast majority were not vaccinated and often because of conspiracy theories such as this one which ultimately cost them their lives. This is the great tragedy and why it is important to me to continue to counter deadly disinformation in an ongoing way with the truth. — Molly
President Joe Biden has continued to urge those who haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine to get the shot after missing his goal to get at least one dose to 70% of American adults by July 4.
But he hasn’t threatened the unvaccinated with detention at a “quarantine camp” if they don’t get the shot by 2022, as a post drawing attention on Instagram claims.
Actor Noel Gugliemi, also known as Noel G., shared the post on Instagram but it was removed. Gugliemi posted later that Instagram removed the post. He did not respond to a request for comment.
Another Instagram user posted an identical version on July 20 with the text "Is this real?"
It shows a headline on the website ValueWalk that says Biden “Announces Americans not vaccinated before 2022 will be put in camps,” over an illustration of the president.
It claims the unvaccinated will be “detained indefinitely” if they don’t have a shot by 2022.
That is false. ValueWalk includes a disclaimer that the post is satire, but Gugliemi’s post includes no such label.
Fact check:An altered video splices two clips together to show Biden making toddlers cry
The user who shared the post on July 20 did not respond to Instagram messages seeking comment.
Original post was satire, but presented on Instagram as real
The Instagram post came from the website ValueWalk, but that also was a repost from another website, The Stonk Market.
It's an example of what could be called "stolen satire," where stories written as satire and presented that way originally are captured via screenshot and reposted in a way that makes them appear to be legitimate news. As a result, readers of the second-generation post are misled, as was the case here.
ValueWalk describes itself as “a highly regarded, non-partisan site” that is a resource for investors. The post that claims Biden planned to send unvaccinated people to detention camps in 2022 was listed under ValueWalk’s politics section on June 21.
It includes a disclaimer that the article was satirical, buried underneath several advertisements, and notes that it originally appeared on The Stonk Market.
The Stonk Market version was posted on June 17, four days before ValueWalk reposted it. The Stonk Market calls itself “a financial satire site.” It says its mission is “to provide daily humor and make stonks go up."
While both websites posted the article in jest, the versions shared on Instagram included no disclaimer.
Fact check:False claim that COVID-19 vaccine isn't effective because you're not charged for it
Several commenters on Gugliemi’s post questioned whether it was real and encouraged him to stop spreading misinformation before it was deleted.
Biden pushing vaccines, but no threats about detention
With the Delta variant of the coronavirus now spreading as the dominant strain in the U.S., the White House has continued to push vaccines for those who still have not received at least one dose.
About 56% of people in the U.S. had gotten at least one dose as of July 19. Nearly 49% were fully vaccinated at that time, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The share of adults getting vaccinated is higher: 68% have received at least one dose, and nearly 60% were fully vaccinated as of July 19.
Fact check:Quarantine 'camps' are real, but COVID-19 camp claim stretches truth
After missing the goal of getting 70% of adults at least one dose by July 4, Biden outlined new plans to accelerate vaccine distribution, including door-to-door outreach about the shot and expansion of mobile clinics and vaccination sites for workers.
Pop star Olivia Rodrigo visited the White House in July to promote vaccines, including sharing a selfie with Biden to her 14.9 million Instagram followers to encourage younger people to get vaccinated.
Fact check:Photo of Olivia Rodrigo at White House press briefing altered to add Joe Biden
USA TODAY could find no reference to Biden or other members of his administration threatening detention for the unvaccinated in public remarks.
Our rating: False
The claim that Biden announced people who are not vaccinated by 2022 will be sent to camps is FALSE, based on our research. The claim originated from a satire website. While the source of the original article labels it as satire, the Instagram post shared July 20 does not. USA TODAY could find no evidence that Biden has made any reference to putting unvaccinated people in camps in 2022.
Our fact-check sources:
- USA TODAY, June 22, Biden administration admits it won't reach July 4 vaccination goal; CDC studies explain vaccination slowdown: Latest COVID-19 updates
- ValueWalk, accessed July 20, About ValueWalk
- The Stonk Market, accessed July 20, About The Stonk Market
- CDC, accessed July 20, COVID Data Tracker: Variant proportions
- CDC, accessed July 20, COVID Data Tracker: Vaccinations
- USA TODAY, July 6, Joe Biden ramps up vaccination drive with new initiatives; Pfizer, Moderna vaccines on brink of full FDA approval?: Today's COVID-19 updates
- Olivia Rodrigo, July 14, Instagram post
- USA TODAY, July 14, Olivia Rodrigo rocks Aviator sunglasses with Biden, meets with Fauci for vaccine campaign
- The White House, accessed July 20, White House Briefing Room
- Internet Movie Database, accessed July 20, Noel Gugliemi
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