On Monday morning, employees at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Washington, D.C., were met with an unexpected and unsettling sight. Television screens throughout the building, including those in the cafeteria, displayed an AI-generated video depicting President Donald Trump kissing the feet of tech billionaire Elon Musk. The video, accompanied by the caption “LONG LIVE THE REAL KING,” played on a continuous loop, causing confusion and concern among staff.
The incident occurred as federal employees returned to the office following an executive order ending remote work. The provocative nature of the video, combined with its sudden appearance, led to immediate efforts to halt its broadcast. Building staff, unable to stop the video through standard controls, resorted to manually unplugging the affected televisions to cease the display.
HUD spokesperson Kasey Lovett addressed the situation, stating, “Another waste of taxpayer dollars and resources. Appropriate action will be taken for all involved.” The source of the hack remains under investigation, with no individual or group yet claiming responsibility.
This event comes amid heightened scrutiny of the relationship between President Trump and Elon Musk. Musk, who has been a significant financial supporter of Trump’s political endeavors, holds a prominent advisory position within the administration. Recent policy decisions, including substantial proposed cuts to HUD’s workforce, have intensified discussions about Musk’s influence over federal operations.
The use of AI-generated content in this hack highlights growing concerns about the potential for deepfake technology to disseminate misleading or provocative material. As the investigation continues, questions arise regarding the security of government communication systems and the broader implications of artificial intelligence in media manipulation.
While the immediate disruption was addressed, the incident underscores the necessity for robust cybersecurity measures within federal agencies to prevent similar breaches in the future.
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