Does a video shared to X in early December 2024 authentically show a drone flying over New Jersey? No, that's not true: The original poster described the video as having been "created digitally." It was shared online after unexplained "possible drones" were reported in New Jersey in late 2024.
The claim appeared in a video posted on X on December 12, 2024, (archived here) that showed what appeared to be a drone-like object flying over a city skyline. A caption with the post read:
Good Image Of Drone Over NJ
(Source: X screenshot taken Thu Dec 12 18:41:04 2024 UTC)
The video included the TikTok watermark @iceman_fox1 on December 12, 2024, and is clearly described as having been "created digitally," as shown in the screenshot below:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken Thu Dec 12 18:48:48 2024 UTC)
The @iceman_fox1 profile on TikTok is self-described as featuring "mixed reality" content. Mixed reality refers to the "integration of both the physical world and the digital world."
Before the video was created, the FBI Newark, New Jersey State Police, and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness reported (archived here) "recent sightings of possible drones flying in several areas along the Raritan River." The notice, published on December 3, 2024, read, in part:
Witnesses have spotted the cluster of what look to be drones and a possible fixed wing aircraft. We have reports from the public and law enforcement dating back several weeks.
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Lead Stories has looked into other claims related to drones, which can be read here.
