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No named suspects in White House cocaine case, despite social media post’s claim
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This claim is unfounded. The U.S. Secret Service closed its investigation without a suspect citing a lack of evidence.
After U.S. Secret Service officers discovered cocaine at the White House on July 2, 2023, they investigated its source but ultimately closed the case two weeks later, citing a lack of evidence.
Nevertheless, the internet offered an array of suspects.
Social media posts falsely named a TikTok influencer and President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. Now, an Instagram post blames Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee.
"The cocaine found in the White House was Kamala’s," an Oct. 23 post said alongside a video showing Harris speaking on CNN.
The post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and Threads.)
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We asked the Secret Service about the claim but didn’t hear back.
But just as with the other accusations against the TikTok influencer and the Bidens, this one is unfounded. There’s no credible news reporting or other evidence, such as statements from the Secret Service, to corroborate that the cocaine belonged to Harris.
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A bag of cocaine was found in a storage area where visitors touring the White House must leave their cellphones, according to the Secret Service and news reports.
An FBI crime lab analysis found no fingerprints or DNA on the bag, and surveillance footage didn’t identify a suspect, The Associated Press reported.
We rate claims Harris is responsible for the cocaine False.
Our Sources
Instagram post, Oct. 23, 2024
PolitiFact, Cocaine was discovered at the White House, but claims connecting the drug to Biden are unfounded, Sept. 29, 2023
PolitiFact, Don’t believe this altered Associated Press headline about the White House cocaine culprit, July 13, 2023
U.S. Secret Service statement, July 13, 2023
BBC, White House cocaine: US Secret Service ends investigation, July 13, 2023
The Associated Press, "Secondary test of powder found in West Wing lobby shows it's cocaine, Biden briefed on investigation," July 5, 2023
The Associated Press, "The Secret Service found cocaine at the White House, AP sources say," July 4, 2023
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No named suspects in White House cocaine case, despite social media post’s claim
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