Fact Check: Is the clip of the Egyptian president walking out during Trump meeting real?
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND: A viral video has been circulating on social media claiming to show Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi storming out of a meeting with President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The video has also raised speculations, with many questioning its authenticity. Let us examine the clip and fact-check it.
Claim: Egyptian president storms out of meeting with Donald Trump
The post was published on Facebook on January 22, which came with a caption in Amharic, which translates as, 'Donald Trump's comments about Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's strength and commitment to negotiations deeply upset al-Sisi.' "On the contrary, it demonstrates Dr Abiy's unwavering commitment to protecting the country's national interests,” adds the post, which has been shared more than 660 times.
A text overlay in the video, also in Amharic, states: “The conspiracy of the Egyptian leader signifies the Ethiopian leader’s strength.”
“And you also have a strong leader in Ethiopia, too. I do not know him as well as I know you, but he is a strong man,” Trump is heard saying to Sisi in the 20-second clip.
The video shows Sisi putting his head in his hands and then standing up and leaving his seat. Meanwhile, Trump seems to be laughing, and later cuts to a different shot of Abiy laughing.
Fact Check: Fake. The video is digitally altered
However, the viral video is digitally altered. The original footage of the video was published on the official YouTube channel of the White House on January 21.
In the video, Trump starts by praising Sisi and the 'wonderful relationship' between the United States and Egypt. This is followed by Sisi’s remarks in Arabic, delivered with the assistance of an English translator.
At 6:08, Trump says, “All of a sudden, the water is blocked by a very massive dam. I wouldn’t be happy about it. And here (pointing to Sisi), you have a very strong leader and a president, and you also have a strong leader in Ethiopia, too."
"I do not know him as well as I know you, but he is a strong man. I am going to try to bring the two of you together and see if we can make a deal.”
Part of these remarks were used in the altered clip.
Sisi can be seen seated throughout the video, and there are no visible signs of distress, nor does he leave the meeting.
The viral clip was digitally altered by inserting manipulated clips to falsely suggest that Sisi walked out in anger after Trump praised Abiy.
Visual distortions in Trump’s face indicate artificial generation, while the clip of Abiy laughing is at least two years old and is not from the Davos meeting.
