Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Pro-India chants echoed at the Republican National Convention at the entry of VP nominee JD Vance, and his wife Usha Chilukuri Vance.
Fact
No such chants heard in the original video, Vances entered with the song “America First” in the background.
A video purportedly showing Republican Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance and his wife of Indian origin Usha Chilukuri Vance entering the party’s national convention in Milwaukee to the crowds cheering for India has grabbed attention on social media platforms. Newschecker, however, found the video to be manipulated.
Multiple social media users shared the 17-second-long-footage claiming that the pro-India chants echoed in the Republican Convention on the arrival of Vance with his wife.
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “India chants,” “JD Vance,” and “Republican National Convention” on Google did not yield any credible reports on such an incident at the event.
We then looked up keywords “JD Vance,” “VP Nominee” and “RCN” on YouTube which led us to multiple videos from the convention. One such video by The Wall Street Journal, from July 16, 2024, showed Vance entering the convention with his wife.
Around 53 seconds into the video, we spotted the same footage of the Republican VP nominee greeting people. However, no “India India” chants were heard in the footage.
The footage from Day 1 of the Republican event was also shared by C-SPAN, detailing, “Delegates gathered at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. During this portion, former President Donald Trump was officially chosen as the party’s presidential nominee, and Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) was nominated as his running mate.”
At the counters of 3:30:49 seconds, we spotted the same video of Vance with his wife. However, no pro-India chants were heard in the background in this video too.
Also Read: Donald Trump’s Son Barron Was Not Present At Campaign Rally When He Was Shot
Multiple outlets streamed Day 1 of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. In all such videos, JD Vance is heard entering the event with the song “America First” in the background.
The same can be seen around 3 hours 16 seconds in the live stream by New York Post, around 3 hours in the footage by Forbes News Breaking and at timestamp 2:41:30 in the video by AP.
A Variety report further detailed that country legend Merle Haggard was brought into the national spotlight with JD Vance repeatedly using one of the late singer’s anthem “America First” as his “walk-up music during the Republican convention this week…The Haggard tune played on a loop several times as Vance made his way through the convention floor Monday night, then appeared again Wednesday as walk-up music as the Ohio senator took the stage to deliver his speech.”
Also Read: No, Man Yelling ‘Slash Republican Throats’ In Viral Video Is Not Trump Rally Shooter
Conclusion
Hence, the viral footage claiming that “India India” chants were raised on JD Vance arrival with his wife Usha Chilukuri Vance has been digitally altered.
Result: Altered Video
Sources
YouTube Video By The Wall Street Journal, Dated July 16, 2024
Report By C-SPAN, Dated July 15, 2024
Report By Variety, Dated July 18, 2024
If you would like us to fact-check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 or email us at checkthis@newschecker.in. You can also visit the Contact Us page and fill out the form. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates.
Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
