An AI-generated video of President Donald Trump kissing Elon Musk‘s feet is going viral online after playing unauthorized on TV monitors at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) headquarters on Monday.
Newsweek reached out for comment to HUD and the White House via email on Monday night.
Why It Matters
Musk, the world’s richest man, was tapped by Trump to head the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after becoming a close ally of the president while backing his campaign last year.
The unelected tech billionaire’s influence over the federal government has faced stiff backlash since the beginning of Trump’s second term, with a significant number of critics referring to him as “President Musk” and suggesting that he is in control of the Oval Office.
What To Know
The fake video of Trump kissing Musk’s bare toes and massaging his feet, which includes the words “LONG LIVE THE REAL KING” superimposed over the AI-generated scene, appeared on HUD headquarters monitors following an apparent hack at the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in Washington, D.C., on Monday.
Shortly afterward, clips showing the video on monitors at the HUD headquarters cafeteria were widely shared on social media. Posts of the video shared by Vox reporter Rachel Cohen and influencer Brian Krassenstein to X, formerly Twitter, had been viewed over 6.4 million times combined by around 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time Monday.
The AI video calling Musk “the real king” may have been a reference to Trump apparently calling himself “the king” after claiming to kill New York City’s vehicle congestion pricing program in a recent Truth Social post.
What People Are Saying
HUD spokesperson Kasey Lovett, in a statement on the video playing at department headquarters on Monday: “Another waste of taxpayer dollars and resources. Appropriate action will be taken for all involved.”
The House Committee on Financial Services Democrats X account, responding to the video in a post on Monday: “Not all heroes wear capes…”
The press office account of HUD Secretary Scott Turner, responding to the House Financial Services Committee Democrats on X: “There is nothing heroic about abusing taxpayer resources.”
Art Candee, Chicago-based artist and frequent Trump critic, on X: “An AI video of Donald Trump kissing Elon Musk’s feet is playing on monitors at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This should be playing everywhere. [11 ‘rolling on the floor laughing’ emojis].”
What Happens Next
It is unclear whether the identity of the person or people responsible for the video playing at HUD headquarters will be uncovered or face repercussions. Musk’s influence on Trump will likely continue as a topic of criticism and political debate for the foreseeable future.
The post Fake Videos of Trump Kissing Musk’s Feet Go Viral After HUD TV Protest appeared first on Newsweek.
