Fact check: 'Hot Cup of Joe' is a Biden coloring book but isn't for kids
The claim: An erotic coloring book depicting former Vice President Joe Biden is marketed to children and sold at Walmart
A viral Facebook post says an adult coloring book, “Hot Cup of Joe: A Piping Hot Coloring Book with America's Sexiest Moderate, Joe Biden,” featuring erotic depictions of former Vice President Joe Biden is marketed to children and sold by Walmart.
The post featured pictures from the book showing a strapping Biden leaving the shower and laying by a fire.
One Facebook user, Lorna Ring, noted in a caption that she was able to find the book on Walmart's website. She posted what looked like a screenshot with a caption that stated the book was seen for sale at Walmart, "next to the homeschooling books and other children's coloring books."
That same screenshot has been widely shared across social media.
Paste BN reached out to Ring for comment.
A real book, for adults
Walmart says the book is an adult item. On its website, it is listed in the section books/ funny books/ politics.
“For fact checking purposes, we do sell this item on our website and it is not marketed to children,” said Tara House, Walmart senior director of corporate communications.
The publishing company, St. Martin’s Publishing Group, also responded that the book is intended for adult amusement.
“‘Hot Cup of Joe: A Piping Hot Coloring Book with America's Sexiest Moderate, Joe Biden’ is a satirical coloring book for adults,” said Kelly Moran, St. Martin’s Publishing publicity assistant.
Nevertheless, the book has a 1.3 out of 5 overall rating on Walmart.com as many comments echo the original post’s message that the book is inappropriate.
Our rating: Partly false
We rate this claim PARTLY FALSE, based on our research. The book is real, published by St. Martin's and is sold by Walmart, among others. However, the coloring book is marketed to adults, not children.
Our fact-check sources:
- Facebook, Original post
- Walmart listing
- Email conversation with Walmart representative Tara House
- Email conversation with St. Martin’s Publishing Group representative Kelly Moran
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