The Nickelback soundtrack isn't the dumbest part of Trump's latest hit on Biden
Fox News host Tucker Carlson featured a photo Tuesday night showing former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, posing with a "Ukraine gas company exec" in the Hamptons back in 2014, and on Wednesday, President Trump tweeted a video featuring that same photo superimposed onto a Nickelback video. Over the video, he urged people to "look at this photograph!"
The "Ukraine gas company exec" in the photo is Devon Archer, a longtime American business associate of Hunter Biden's. They were partners in an investment firm with Chris Heinz, former Secretary of State John Kerry's stepson, for five years before they joined the gas company, Burisma, at about the same time. (Heinz did not join the Burisma board.)
The insinuation in the video is that Joe Biden did in fact discuss Hunter Biden's "overseas business dealings," despite saying otherwise. This photograph doesn't support that claim. In any case, none of this has anything to do with Trump — according to the White House's own evidence and Trump's admission — asking Ukraine to open a specific investigation into a domestic political rival while he was withholding military aid.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Photographs can tell stories, of course.
But they aren't always actually worth 1,000 words. And music doesn't always give "a soul to the universe," as Plato allegedly said. "Forcing the entire country to listen to Nickelback should be an impeachable offense," Oliver Darcy harrumphed.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Marine Le Pen's fake jobs trial
The Explainer The far-right French leader could face a fine, jail time, and a five-year ban from public office if found guilty of embezzlement
By Abby Wilson Published
-
How to earn extra cash for Christmas
The Explainer The holiday season can be expensive but there are ways to bolster your festive finances
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published