The Recycling of Old Videos for Political Propaganda

The phenomenon of recycling old videos and images for political propaganda has become increasingly prevalent, particularly during times of crisis and conflict. This practice involves presenting outdated footage in a misleading context to influence public perception and political narratives.

Fact check: How videos are recycled for political purposes

Old videos are often repurposed and shared on social media platforms, such as TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), to create a false narrative. For instance, a TikTok video that combines two unrelated clips of police interactions with teenagers misleads viewers into believing they depict a single, current event. The first clip, recorded in Deerfield Beach, Florida, in April 2025, shows police stopping teenagers on bicycles, while the second clip, from Minneapolis in January 2026, involves ICE officers confronting a teenager. The juxtaposition of these clips misrepresents the situation and context.

Fact check: How videos are recycled for political purposes

Another example involves a January 19, 2026, post on X that claimed to show US Air Force fighter jets arriving in Greenland. The attached video, however, depicted a military base in Alaska from 2022. This misrepresentation coincided with US President Donald Trump's comments about acquiring Greenland, illustrating how old footage can be strategically reused to amplify political messages. The user who posted the video was identified as a Trump supporter, further indicating the political motivations behind the misleading content.

Fact check: How videos are recycled for political purposes

The recycling of videos can significantly impact public discourse. Tommaso Canetta, a disinformation expert at the European Digital Media Observatory, notes that such practices can provoke strong emotional responses, pushing viewers toward extreme positions and complicating rational discussions. Brittani Kollar from the Poynter Institute emphasizes the importance of media literacy in combating disinformation, stating that social media algorithms often promote viral content, including fake videos.

Fact check: How videos are recycled for political purposes

Critics argue that the manipulation of video content undermines trust in media and can lead to widespread skepticism about legitimate news. The use of recycled footage not only distorts reality but also hampers informed public debate, as viewers may become desensitized to all online content due to frequent exposure to misleading information.

Fact check: How videos are recycled for political purposes

Experts in media literacy advocate for increased awareness and education to help individuals discern the authenticity of online content. Kollar suggests that developing critical thinking skills regarding sources and context can empower users to identify manipulated videos more effectively.

Fact check: How videos are recycled for political purposes

• “In wars and conflicts, it's particularly hard to get video footage,” — Brittani Kollar, Poynter Institute

Fact check: How videos are recycled for political purposes

• “The use of false content triggers a strong emotional response in viewers, driving them to extreme positions and making rational discussion with nuanced viewpoints more difficult.” — Tommaso Canetta, European Digital Media Observatory

Fact check: How videos are recycled for political purposes

As the prevalence of recycled videos continues to rise, efforts to enhance media literacy and fact-checking initiatives will be crucial in mitigating the impact of disinformation on public perception and political discourse.

Fact check: How videos are recycled for political purposes