In a surprising turn of events, the White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, confirmed on Thursday that President Biden's maternal uncle, Ambrose Finnegan, did not meet his demise at the hands of cannibals, as Biden had implied during two separate occasions on Wednesday. The clarification came as Jean-Pierre addressed reporters on Air Force One during President Biden's campaign visit to Pennsylvania.

According to Jean-Pierre, President Biden was expressing his immense pride in his late uncle's service when he made the controversial statement regarding cannibalism. The president had suggested that the New Guinea natives had consumed Finnegan after his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean during World War II in 1944.

Jean-Pierre underscored the emotional significance of Finnegan's sacrifice for the country and emphasized that Biden's statements were an expression of pride rather than factual claims. She stated, "You saw the president, he was incredibly proud of his uncle's service in uniform. You saw him at the War Memorial. It was incredibly emotional and important to him."

President Biden's remarks regarding his uncle's demise as a result of cannibalism came following his visit to a war memorial in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which honors Finnegan's name. Biden had shared with reporters in Scranton that his uncle was shot down in an area known for cannibalism and that his body was never recovered.

Later that day, during a speech in Pittsburgh, President Biden reiterated the claim, stating that his uncle "got shot down in New Guinea and they never found the body because there were a lot of cannibals, for real, in that part of New Guinea."

However, the official account provided by the US military contradicts President Biden's narrative. According to the Pentagon's Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Finnegan's plane was forced to ditch in the ocean off the north coast of New Guinea due to engine failure. Three crew members failed to survive the crash, and their bodies were never recovered. One crew member, however, was rescued by a passing barge.

President Biden's propensity for sharing unverified personal stories and anecdotes, often without supporting evidence, has come under scrutiny in the past. Critics argue that these narratives are aimed at creating an emotional connection with his audience, as was the case during his campaign stop in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state that could determine the outcome of his bid for a second term against former President Donald Trump.

As the story unfolds, President Biden's comments regarding his uncle being eaten by cannibals serve as a reminder of the need for accurate and responsible storytelling, especially when it comes to historical events.