X users noted the irony of Barbra Streisand cautioning her followers against reading The New York Post's coverage of President Joe Biden's seemingly odd behavior during several events this past week.
During last week's G7 flag ceremony, Biden appeared to become distracted and stray away from fellow world leaders. Footage of the event shows Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arm-leading Biden back to the group. Biden also appeared to freeze in place before former President Barack Obama grabbed his arm and led him offstage during a Saturday fundraiser in Los Angeles.
On Monday, Streisand took to X to caution followers from reading The New York Post's coverage of Biden's seemingly odd behavior.
"The NY Post is printing lies about President Biden. No other media outlets should amplify its disinformation," Streisand wrote.
The post has since garnered just under 3.5 million views. The NY Post is printing lies about President Biden. No other media outlets should amplify its disinformation.
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) June 17, 2024
Streisand's post was mocked by users who suggested she had fallen victim to the Streisand Effect, a term used to describe a psychological reactance of increased public awareness of a person, place, or event after attempts to hide, remove, or censor information regarding the subject are employed. The term takes its name from the actress herself after her attorney attempted to suppress the publication of an image of Streisand's Malibu residence in 2003.
Streisand sued photographer Kenneth Adelaman and Pictopia.com for $50 million after publishing the photo for violation of privacy, though the image garnered 420,000 views as a result of her public lawsuit. The actress was later ordered to pay Adelman's $177,000 attorney fees after her lawsuit was dismissed.
Conservative communications strategist Steve Guest referred to Streisand's Monday post as a "Literal Streisand effect," while also sharing footage of Obama appearing to lead Biden off stage during the Los Angeles fundraiser. Literal Streisand effect: https://t.co/xbweaDllit pic.twitter.com/kRLQvRvSRN
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) June 18, 2024
"Wow, she did the thing," wrote Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross, who also shared a screenshot of Wikipedia's explanation of the Streisand Effect. Wow, she did the thing https://t.co/AMkUhE3SDv pic.twitter.com/4p1cM3I5Lr
— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) June 18, 2024
Podcaster Justin Young said Streisand's post was like watching Henry Heimlich, who discovered the Heimlich maneuver, perform the technique on someone choking. This is like watching Dr. Heimlich dislodge a blockage in a choking person’s airway. https://t.co/Khje4pQzsD
— Justin Robert Young (@JustinRYoung) June 18, 2024
During a Monday press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre claimed footage of Biden at the aforementioned events were "cheap fakes."
