Biden, in a post on X, said he will remain in his role as president and commander-in-chief until his term ends in January 2025 and will address the nation this week.

U.S. President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign on Sunday after fellow Democrats lost faith in his mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump while endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him as the party’s candidate.

Biden, 81, in a post on X, said he will remain in his role as president and commander-in-chief until his term ends in January 2025 and will address the nation this week.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden wrote.

His initial statement had not included an endorsement of Harris, but he followed up a few minutes later with an expression of support.

Harris, 59, would become the first Black woman to do run at the top of a major-party ticket in the country’s history.

Biden’s announcement follows a wave of public and private pressure from Democratic lawmakers and party officials to quit the race after his shockingly poor performance in a June 27 televised debate last month against Republican rival Trump, 78. Biden’s failure at times to complete clear sentences took the public spotlight away from Trump’s performance, in which he made a string of false statements, and trained it instead on questions surrounding Biden’s fitness for another 4-year term.

Days later he raised fresh concerns in an interview, shrugging off Democrats’ worries and a widening gap in opinion polls, and saying he would be fine losing to Trump if he knew he’d “gave it my all.”

His gaffes at a NATO summit – invoking Russian President Vladimir Putin’s name when he meant Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and calling Harris “Vice President Trump” -further stoked anxieties.

Only four days before Sunday’s announcement, Biden was diagnosed with COVID-19 for a third time, forcing him to cut short a campaign trip to Las Vegas. More than one in 10 congressional Democrats had called publicly for him to quit the race. Biden’s historic move – the first sitting president to give up his party’s nomination for reelection since President Lyndon Johnson in March 1968 – leaves his replacement with less than four months to wage a campaign.

Biden was the oldest U.S. president ever elected when he beat Trump in 2020. During that campaign, Biden described himself as a bridge to the next generation of Democratic leaders. Some interpreted that to mean he would serve one term, a transitional figure who beat Trump and brought his party back to power.

Understanding How Fake News Spreads The mechanics of fake news propagation on social media underscore a human inclination towards sensationalism. Studies also suggest that fake news stories are shared 70% more than genuine news, highlight this trend. This inclination isn’t solely due to technological manipulation but reflects humanity’s fascination with the extraordinary. Social media platforms exacerbate this by prioritizing engaging content, ensuring that fake news gains traction and permeates public consciousness.

The Role of “Super Spreaders” “Super spreaders,” accounts that amplify fake news, play a pivotal role in its dissemination. While they may not create misleading content, their actions exponentially increase its reach. Rectifying misconceptions becomes challenging once widely disseminated, as first impressions tend to stick, especially when reinforced by thousands.

Political Polarization’s Impact Political polarization significantly exacerbates fake news dissemination. Research shows that individuals at ideological extremes share a significant portion of fake news, fostering an environment ripe for misinformation. Polarization not only increases the likelihood of sharing fake news but also reinforces beliefs, deepening societal divisions.

The Urgency to Combat Fake News Addressing fake news goes beyond public discourse. It’s vital for maintaining an informed society capable of making decisions based on accurate information. While social media platforms have clear responsibilities in mitigating misinformation, enforcing counteractive policies remains challenging. Efforts like Facebook and YouTube rejecting ads discouraging COVID-19 vaccination are steps forward, contingent on rigorous implementation.

The Power of Individual Responsibility Fighting fake news isn’t solely on social media companies. It requires active participation from information consumers. Critical evaluation of news, questioning biases, and seeking credible sources are essential in curbing misinformation. By promoting media literacy and exercising discernment, individuals can contribute to a more informed and less polarized public discourse.

In conclusion, the analogy of a school rumor encapsulates the fake news dilemma, thriving on sensationalism, leveraging social media dynamics, and exploiting political polarization. Addressing this challenge demands a multifaceted approach, involving platform accountability, policy intervention, and individual action. As we navigate the digital information landscape, discerning truth from falsehood remains vital for the health of our societies.

Barely minutes after the shots had rung out, the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump unleashed a firehose of contradictory conspiracy theories that highlight a highly polarised political landscape ahead of elections in November.

The 78-year-old was rushed off stage with blood streaked across his face after the shooting at a political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday that also killed a spectator and critically injured two others.

Unsubstantiated claims that the shooting was “staged” and the blood was “fake”, as well as a doctored photo of his security detail smiling just moments after the incident are just some of the unfounded theories that flooded social media.

The stunning attack has supercharged political tensions — and disinformation — in an ahead of the presidential election, analysts warn, with rampant speculation and conspiracy theories coming from both sides of the political aisle. 

‘No one is immune’

Social media users also widely circulated photos of two individuals, falsely identifying them as the suspected shooter before authorities released the name of the alleged attacker.

‘Absolutely false’

On the right, social media users shared a posts of Trump’s security detail moving individuals away from the stage as proof of the unfounded claim that the assassination attempt was an “inside job.”

A digitally altered image shows Trump’s security detail grinning as they hurry the former president off stage, but a reverse image search found the original photo showing the guards not smiling.

Further accelerating the spread of misinformation, analysts say, many tech platforms recently scaled back content moderation.

Amid a deluge of posts, it proves misinformation can go viral faster than ever.

Social media mislabeled content, misleading headlines to filter into our feeds. We must slow down, breathe, verify before sharing anything we see.

For all the Social Media Buffs

Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is unintentionally spread. It can occur due to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, or errors. Misinformation is often shared innocently, without malicious intent.

Examples of misinformation include:

Outdated Information: Sharing facts that were once true but have since changed.

Rumors: Spreading unverified stories or claims.

Mistaken Identity: Incorrectly attributing an event or statement to the wrong person.

Read our latest article on media literacy 4 quick things about misinformation.