Bloomberg faces criticism for tweet showing altered debate moment

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Mike Bloomberg is facing criticism after his presidential campaign on Thursday tweeted out a video from the previous night’s debate that was selectively edited to make it appear that his fellow candidates fell into a lengthy silence when he asked if any of them have started their own business.

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Bloomberg’s Twitter account posted the video, which shows the former New York mayor and businessman posing the question on stage in Las Vegas.

“I’m the only one here that’s ever started business. Is that fair?” asked the Bloomberg News founder.

Bloomberg’s video then clipped various moments from the debate and edited them together to make it appear as if a lengthy pause occurred immediately after he asked his question.

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Crickets can be heard as the video scans each of his fellow candidates.

It briefly shows Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) starting to speak and raising her hand before sighing. Another clip shows Warren shuffling papers at her podium.

Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) is seen taking a deep breath while former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE raises his eyebrows.

“OK,” Bloomberg said after the lengthy pause.

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Multiple Twitter users pointed out that the clip was edited to appear roughly 20 seconds longer than during the actual debate.

Stef Feldman, policy director for the Biden campaign, wrote that the edited video was “truly horrifying.”

Andom Ghebreghiorgis, a congressional candidate running in New York’s 16th District, called it “propaganda.”

Some wrote that the clip could be misleading those who didn’t watch the debate live.

Others also noted that President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE has also tweeted out viral videos containing notable alterations.

“It’s tongue in cheek,” Bloomberg press secretary Galia Slayen said in a statement. “There were obviously no crickets on the debate stage.”

Last May, Trump tweeted a video edited to make it seem like Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiTrump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Pelosi: Georgia primary ‘disgrace’ could preview an election debacle in November MORE (D-Calif.) was stumbling over her words. 

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The controversial clip, which did not violate the platform’s guidelines, kicked off a larger conversation about how social media companies like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are planning to handle manipulated footage leading up to the 2020 presidential elections.  

Twitter said last year that it is crafting a new policy to limit the reach of “deep fakes,” or videos altered using artificial intelligence in misleading ways, and other manipulated media.

Some factors the platform will consider under the new rule include whether the content has been substantially edited in any manner that alters compositions, sequence, timing or framing, as well as whether it adds or removes any visual or auditory information like overdubbed audio or new video frames. 

According to Twitter, Bloomberg’s video would likely be labeled under these guidelines  “to give additional context around what people are seeing.” 

“We will start labeling Tweets with this type of media on March 5, 2020,” Twitter said.

Twitter said earlier this month that altered videos will be labeled as “manipulated media” and will include a link to more “reputable sources.” 

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