President Joe Biden may have disrespected the Medal of Honor recipients and their families by leaving the ceremony early, even before the closing prayer.
On Tuesday, Biden awarded the nation’s highest military honor to former Army Capt. Larry L. Taylor, a helicopter pilot who saved four of his comrades in a daring rescue mission during the Vietnam War.
Some conservative commentators and social media users claimed that the US President did not stay for the entire ceremony and abruptly walked out while the chaplain delivered the benediction.
One of them was Rogan O’Handley, a pro-Trump activist named DC Draino on Twitter. He posted a 47-sec video clip of Biden leaving the stage with the caption, "He just walked out on a Medal of Honor ceremony, the highest honor for a soldier. He is a disgrace."
Benny Johnson, a host on Newsmax, a right-wing cable network. He also tweeted a similar video with the comment, “Did Biden just walk out in the middle of the ceremony?”
{{/usCountry}}Benny Johnson, a host on Newsmax, a right-wing cable network. He also tweeted a similar video with the comment, “Did Biden just walk out in the middle of the ceremony?”
{{/usCountry}}But these claims are heavily misleading.
The video clips that O’Handley and Johnson shared were edited to make it appear that Biden left abruptly and without saying goodbye.
The full video of the ceremony shows that Biden stayed for about 28 minutes and gave remarks honoring Taylor and his family. He also presented Taylor with the medal and hugged him. He then thanked everyone for attending and said, "God bless you all, and may God protect our troops."
After that, the president walked off the stage with Taylor and his wife, followed by Vice President Kamala Harris and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. They did not leave the room, but moved to a nearby area where they greeted and took photos with Taylor’s family and other guests.
The chaplain then gave the benediction while Biden and others were still in the room.
He participated in the ceremony until the end and showed appreciation for Taylor’s heroism and service.