Fake Biden robocall ahead of New Hampshire primary tells Democrats to stay home
- Robocall impersonation of US President Joe Biden is being investigated in New Hampshire as attempted voter suppression
- Fake message that sounds like Biden tells voters: ‘it’s important that you save your vote for the November election’
As New Hampshire voters prepared to cast their votes in the state’s first-in-the nation primary on Tuesday, a robocall is circulating in the state urging Democrats to stay at home – using a fake audio of US President Joe Biden.
“It’s important that you save your vote for the November election … voting this Tuesday only enables the Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again,” the call says.
The White House confirmed on Monday that the call was not recorded by Biden and said the incident highlights the challenges emerging technologies present, especially ahead of the November presidential election.
“The president has been clear that there are risks associated with deep fakes. Fake images and misinformation can be exacerbated by emerging technologies,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in Washington.
The New Hampshire attorney general, John Formella, said he is investigating what he called an apparent “unlawful attempt to disrupt the New Hampshire Presidential Primary Election and to suppress New Hampshire voters”.