Photo shows “Biden’s inaugural stage being built on the White House North Lawn.”
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No, this photo doesn’t show Biden’s inaugural stage being built
If Your Time is short
- This is a photo from Bill Clinton’s presidential inauguration in 1993.
The administrator of the General Services Administration has formally designated Joe Biden the apparent winner of the presidential election, and some of Biden’s supporters are gloating.
"If you’re having a bad day, just remember, Trump is watching Biden’s inaugural stage being built on the White House North Lawn," reads the description of an image circulating on Facebook. "For the next 59 days :-)."
The picture shows a bird’s-eye view of two white structures across from the White House. Several posts sharing the image were flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
That’s because it’s from 1993 and shows a viewing stand from Bill Clinton’s presidential inauguration.
Construction is underway on the presidential inaugural platform for 2021, but it’s being erected in its usual spot, on the west side of the Capitol (you can see images here and here).
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The National Park Service has also issued a permit for the construction of the inaugural facilities in Lafayette Square, which includes the stand where the new president watches the parade and a media riser, the Washington Post reported.
But the image that’s being shared on Facebook doesn’t show Biden’s inaugural stage being built, as posts claim.
We rate them False.
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Our Sources
Facebook post, Nov. 23, 2020
The New York Times, The G.S.A. administrator has formally designated Biden the apparent winner of the presidential election, Nov. 24, 2020
Smithsonian, William J. Clinton presidential inauguration, aerial view of White House, 1993
Washington Post, What will Inauguration Day look like amid a pandemic? Nov. 19, 2020
Roll Call, Biden or Trump, inaugural planning and construction well underway on Capitol Hill, Nov. 5, 2020
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No, this photo doesn’t show Biden’s inaugural stage being built
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