President Joe Biden expressed his disapproval of Meta's recent move to eliminate fact checkers and replace them with user-generated community notes. During a press conference following a speech on the economy, Biden labeled the decision as 'shameful.' The change in Meta's fact-checking process, announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has sparked controversy, with critics accusing the platform of allowing more harmful content to proliferate.
Meta's decision marks a significant shift from its previous approach of employing independent fact-checkers to combat false and misleading information on its platforms. The move has drawn parallels to Elon Musk's decision to dismantle Twitter's fact-checking teams after acquiring the company in 2022.
When questioned about potential pardons before the end of his term, Biden stated that he would consider the circumstances and any actions taken by his successor, Donald Trump, before making a decision. He also dismissed the idea of pardoning himself or his family, emphasizing that he had not committed any wrongdoing.
Regarding Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden expressed confidence in her ability to run for president in the future. He suggested that the decision to pursue the Democratic nomination in 2028 should be left to Harris, highlighting her competence and qualifications.
Biden refrained from commenting on new intelligence suggesting that the 'Havana syndrome' may have been caused by a foreign weapon. The president emphasized the need for further information before making any statements on the matter.
When asked about his post-presidency plans, Biden assured reporters that he would remain engaged in political affairs and not fade into obscurity. He indicated a desire to stay involved in public discourse and current events, contrasting with former President George W. Bush's approach of maintaining a lower profile after leaving office.
