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Florida representative didn’t ‘confirm’ that Biden will be replaced on November 2024 ticket
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U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., did not "confirm" that President Joe Biden will be replaced on the Democratic ticket before November’s presidential election. Luna used language such as "likely" and "we’re hearing."
Democrats have been batting down rumors that President Joe Biden will be replaced on the Democratic ticket before the November election by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore or others.
Now, social media posts falsely say there’s confirmation of a plan to replace Biden.
"Congresswoman Luna confirms that Biden will be replaced on 2024 ballot," a June 20 Instagram post’s caption said.
The Instagram post shared a video clip from a June 17 episode of the "Redacted" podcast, hosted by Clayton and Natali Morris.
In the clip, Clayton Morris said, "We now have confirmation that, yes, President Biden will be replaced on the Democratic ticket before the November election. Congresswoman Luna confirmed to Fox News that this was the case."
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The video cut to a clip from a June 13 episode of Fox News’ Jesse Watters Primetime, where U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., appeared.
Luna, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, told Watters, "What’s coming out of the White House, a lot of people realize that Joe Biden’s likely not going to be the nominee."
Without providing evidence, Luna said, "We’re hearing on Capitol Hill" that Vice President Kamala Harris is considering a run for California governor because of it. Luna credited Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., whom she said "reported" the Harris news.
Kiley had posted May 16 on X about a Politico report that said Harris had joked to friends about running for governor in 2026 should Democrats lose in November. A Harris spokesperson, however, told Politico that Harris had not joked about running, saying, "That did not happen." The article did not say she was considering running because she and Biden were going to be removed from the ticket.
Asked by Watters about the Biden claim, Luna said, "It appears that our colleagues are trying to put guardrails on a 2024 presidential election with President Trump."
After showing the clip of the exchange between Watters and Luna, Clayton Morris then cited the British tabloid The Daily Mail, saying a story in it is "confirming reporting that yes, this is going to happen, that Biden will be replaced on the ticket."
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The headline on the June 17 article said, "Secret Democrat plot to replace Biden revealed: How Clinton, Obama, Pelosi and Schumer would topple the aging President … and when they'd do it."
The story quoted an unnamed Democratic strategist who said the only people who could force Biden off the ticket "would be Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. It would have to be the four of them collectively."
Despite the article’s headline, the strategist appeared to be speaking speculatively, not describing a plot already in motion.
Biden has given no indication he will exit the presidential race.
In the Watters’ interview, Luna used language such as "likely" and "we’re hearing" when talking about Biden’s status on the ticket. She also said "it appears" Democrats are trying to set up guardrails.
We rate the claim that Luna "confirms that Biden will be replaced on 2024 ballot" False.
Our Sources
Instagram post, June 20, 2024
Redacted podcast, "Biden will be REPLACED on 2024 ballot!" Congresswoman Luna confirms | Redacted with Clayton Morris, June 17, 2024
Fox News, "Jesse Watters Primetime," June 13, 2024
The Daily Mail, Secret Democrat plot to replace Biden revealed: How Clinton, Obama, Pelosi and Schumer would topple the aging President… and when they'd do it, June 17, 2024
The Hill, Exasperated Democrats try to stamp out talk of replacing Biden, June 24, 2024
New York Post, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore asked if he’s ‘ready’ to replace Biden as nominee — here’s what he said, June 19, 2024
Politico, Opinion | The Republican Fantasy that Democrats Will Replace Joe Biden, Feb. 9, 2024
Politico, Democrats Might Need a Plan B. Here’s What It Looks Like., Feb. 12, 2024
Politico, Kamala for governor? She jokes, but the state lacks a giant, May 16, 2024
Rep. Kevin Kiley, X post, May 16, 2024
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Florida representative didn’t ‘confirm’ that Biden will be replaced on November 2024 ticket
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