Janice R. Andrews
Federal Computers Compromised by Hackers Displaying AI-Generated Trump-Musk Video
Department of Housing and Urban Development employees were greeted with an unsettling surprise Monday morning when a deepfake video showing Donald Trump kissing Elon Musk’s feet appeared on screens throughout their building. The 19-second clip, which included the caption “Long live the real king,” played on loop as employees returned to the office following the end of a remote work policy.
The fabricated footage depicted Trump bowing before Musk, who currently leads the Department of Government Efficiency’s federal agency reform efforts. The unauthorized broadcast caused a brief disruption as staff worked to disable the video, with some resorting to disconnecting televisions on multiple floors.
HUD spokesperson Kasey Lovett issued a statement criticizing the incident as “another waste of taxpayer dollars and resources,” with officials promising to pursue those responsible.
The breach occurs amid increasing attention on Musk’s Washington influence. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has become a significant Trump supporter, contributing financially to his 2024 campaign and exercising authority through the newly established DOGE agency.
Their relationship has prompted questions about Musk’s potential role should Trump win another term. In a recent Fox News appearance, Trump addressed rumors of discord between them, saying, “Elon called me and said, ‘They’re trying to drive us apart,'” while reaffirming their alliance.
Political commentators remain doubtful about the partnership’s future stability. According to Politico’s Jonathan Martin, “The Trump Show is a one-man play. There’s not room for anybody else—especially someone with Musk’s wealth and thirst for attention.”
As investigations into the security breach continue, the incident highlights growing issues regarding AI-generated misinformation and security vulnerabilities in government computer systems.
