Politics Fact check: Video shows Trump family in tent before Jan. 6 rally

The claim: Video shows Trump family celebrating the Capitol riot from a nearby tent

© Evan Vucci, AP President Donald Trump encourages protesters to "walk down to the Capitol" where lawmakers were set to confirm Joe Biden as president Jan. 6 before the rally became violent.

Following the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 that left five dead, a video went viral on social media showing President Donald Trump, family membersand others celebrating in a white tent.

The viral video, taken by Donald Trump Jr., according to CNBC, has been posted to Facebook by the page Fire Trump 2020 alongside the claim that the Trump family was allegedly "enjoying" the assault on the Capitol while it took place.

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The video was also posted to YouTube by Celebrity Drama on Jan. 7 with the title, "President Donald Trump & FAMILY at a watch party for the attempted coup of the U.S. Capitol building."

In a message to USA TODAY, James Hamilton of San Antonio who runs the Facebook page, said he received the video from a Trump supporter who claimed it was taken during the riot. He said had also interviewed others who said the video was taken prior to the riot so "the timing of the video is in question."

USA TODAY reached out to Celebrity Drama for comment.

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Video was captured prior to Capitol riot and Trump's speech

Shortly before the pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, the president delivered comments at a rally at the Ellipse, urging his supporters to walk to the the Capitol to "cheer on" congressmen who were about to certify the Electoral College results, in an effort to overturn the 2020 election results.

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In the clip, the Trump family is seen laughing, dancing and joking while watching monitors. The viral video was taken before Trump's speech took place; the monitors show the crowd waiting in front of the stage at Freedom Plaza for Trump to come out.

The screens shown in the video do not show any rioters storming the Capitol nor any violence.

Also playing in the background of the viral clip is the 1982 song "Gloria" by Laura Branigan, which Trump frequently plays ahead of rallies. A YouTube video of the entire speech reveals that "Gloria" was played at the "Save America Rally" before Trump went on stage, further indicating that the video was taken before his supporters stormed the Capitol.

Near the video's end, Donald Trump Jr. says, "T-minus a couple of seconds here," referencing the time left until Trump takes the stage.

Yahoo! News also reported that the video was taken right before Trump spoke at the rally. "The president, Ivanka and Eric can be seen watching the monitors closely a short while before the violence broke out," Yahoo News reported.

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Trump was at the White House during riot

The "Save America Rally" started at 11 a.m., and Trump began speaking at around 11:50 p.m., according to a timeline of the events from USA TODAY. Rioters began grappling with police at the Capitol at 1:10 p.m.

As rioters stormed the Capitol, Trump was not watching from a nearby tent, as claimed, but rather, spent the afternoon in his private dining room at the Oval Office watching the riot on television, according to the Associated Press.

He then posted a video to Twitter from the White House, calling for peace, but continued to promote false claims about the 2020 election, resulting in a temporary suspension of his Twitter account, which became a permanent ban in the days following, USA TODAY reported.

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Our rating: False

The claim that President Donald Trump and members of his family celebrated amid the Capitol riot is FALSE, based on our research. The monitors seen in the video and the song playing in the background indicate that the video was recorded before Trump's speech. Reporting from events of the day found the president was at the White House while the riot took place.

Inauguration Day 2021: What now? Capitol riots, Trump supporter threats prompt safety concerns

The inauguration of a new president, set for Jan. 20, typically poses one of the most enormous security challenges. What does that mean after a riot?The inauguration of a new president, set for Jan. 20, typically poses one of the most enormous security challenges for the federal government and local police, as former presidents and foreign dignitaries gather to observe what – until Wednesday – represented the peaceful transfer of power at the very Capitol that was overrun.

Our fact-check sources:

• Bloomberg Quicktake: Now, Jan. 6, LIVE: Trump Delivers Remarks at the 'Save America Rally' in Washington, D.C.
• Yahoo News, Jan. 8, 'Premeditated': Video emerges of Trump family party before Capitol riots
• USA TODAY, Jan. 8, Timeline: How a Trump mob stormed the US Capitol, forcing Washington into lockdown
• Associated Press, Jan. 7, Pro-Trump mob storms US Capitol in bid to overturn election
• CNBC,  Jan. 8, Donald Trump Jr. video shows happy family, friends backstage at rally prior to Capitol riot that killed 5

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Video shows Trump family in tent before Jan. 6 rally