Trump swept to a decisive victory on Wednesday morning after winning several crucial battleground states. In three months’ time, the 45th president of the United States will become the 47th at an inauguration at the US Capitol. Amidst this a photograph showing Hindu priest Pujari Harish Brahmbhatt with Donald Trump at the White House is being circulated with claims that it depicts a recent event following Trump’s re-election this year.
A user named, The Brahmans ब्राह्मण wrote, “Harish brahmbhatt ji reciting vedic hymns at white house On invitation of Donald Trump” The Post was shared on 6 November, 2024 and amassed 401.8k views.
Following this, others were also found sharing the above image with similar claim of recent invite by Donald Trump which can be viewed here, and here.
Fact Check
Our DFRAC team performed a reverse image search and discovered the photo was uploaded to the stock photo website Alamy in May 2020.
The image caption reads: “President Donald J. Trump listens as Pujari Harish Brahmbhatt, B.A.P.S. Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, delivers remarks during the White House National Day of Prayer Service Thursday, May 7, 2020, in the Rose Garden of the White House. People: President Donald Trump, Pujari Harish Brahmbhatt, B.A.P.S. Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville. Credit: Storms Media Group/Alamy Live News.”
Additionally, we found a post on Donald Trump’s official X account dated May 8, 2020, where he shared a video featuring Pujari Harish Brahmbhatt.
In addition to this, we found media report by NDTV dated May 8, 2020 also mentioned, ” At the invitation of US President Donald Trump, Pujari Harish Brahmbhatt from the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in New Jersey joined religious leaders from other faiths offering prayers on the occasion of National Day of Prayer Service.”
Conclusion
The photograph being shared as evidence of a recent meeting between Donald Trump and Pujari Harish Brahmbhatt is actually from May 2020. Reverse image searches confirm its original upload date, and related content was posted by Trump in 2020. Therefore, the claims that the photo represents a post-re-election event are false and misleading.
