What would be the motive to manipulate this? It was bad enough he walked over, took one question and then headed for the tall grass.
Motivation is certainly a good question. Whatever it is, it has to be nefarious and evil.
Right - it is a very unflattering clip. Makes no sense it would be manipulated. Don’t even put mics on a close up shot if it is going to be faked.
I’ll have to say, though...it does look extremely odd and abnormal how that hand goes in front of the mic. I’ve watched it several times to make sure it wasn’t just the power of suggestion.