White House social media director fooled by fake hurricane video

Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-12 15:59:56|Editor: Song Lifang
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WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- As powerful Hurricane Irma roared into Florida with strong winds and heavy rains on Sunday, misleading and outdated footage has fooled many Internet users, including White House social media director Dan Scavino.

Scavino, a close aide to U.S. President Donald Trump, on Sunday tweeted a video of what he initially claimed a flooded Miami International Airport during Hurricane Irma.

"Sharing #HurricaneIrma on social media with President @realDonaldTrump & @VP Pence hourly. Here is Miami International Airport. STAY SAFE!!" he wrote.

However, Scavino was quick to delete the erroneous post after Miami International Airport debunked it, saying that the video was not actually taken in Miami.

Several users said the video appeared to be a clip on Aug. 31 and was taken at the Mexico City Airport during an earlier storm which caused widespread damage in the Mexican capital.

Scavino acknowledged the mistake and replied the Miami airport.

"Thank you. It was among 100s of videos/pics I am receiving re: Irma from public. In trying to notify all, I shared -- have deleted. Be safe!" he said.

Scavino, who often blasts news organizations for what he calls "fake news," was criticized this time for spreading fake news without verification.

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