White House Deletes Tweet Crediting Biden for Social Security Increase After Fact-Check

The White House deleted a tweet crediting President Joe Biden for this year's Social Security increase after Twitter added a fact-check to it.

What Happened: The White House tweeted Tuesday that "Seniors are getting the biggest increase in their Social Security checks in 10 years through President Biden’s leadership." Some time later, an "added context" disclaimer appeared alongside the tweet, noting that seniors "will receive a large Social Security benefit increase due to the annual cost of living adjustment, which is based on the inflation rate." The tweet was then taken down.

For Context: The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment this year is 8.7%, the highest since 1981. This is due mainly to inflation also hitting 40-year highs, rather than a decision by the president. A 1972 law requires automatic Social Security benefit adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). New Twitter boss Elon Musk said after that "awesome" added context feature is part of his goal "to make Twitter the most accurate source of information on Earth, without regard to political affiliation."

How the Media Covered It: Center-and right-rated outlets covered the story much more than left-rated outlets did. Sources on all sides labeled the tweet "misleading." National Review said the tweet was "bragging" about Biden, and New York Post (Lean Right bias) said the White House was "shamed" into deleting it. CNN said Biden's Social Security "boasts leave out critical context."