February 25, 2025
What's the story:
A controversial AI-generated video appeared on television screens inside the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) building on Monday. The video showed President Donald Trump kissing the feet of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, accompanied by the words, "Long live the real king."
This phrase seemed to reference a Truth Social post by Trump, where he had written, "Long Live the King!" while celebrating his administration's recent decision to halt congestion pricing tolls in New York City.
Official response:
A spokesperson for HUD, Kasey Lovett, criticized the incident, calling it "another waste of taxpayer dollars and resources." Lovett also promised that appropriate action would be taken against those involved, though the identity of the individuals responsible for the hoax remains unclear. AI-generated videos like this one, featuring Trump kissing Musk's feet, have been circulating on social media for months.
Power dynamics:
Elon Musk's growing influence in federal agencies has sparked controversy. Musk, who also owns X (formerly Twitter), has become a staunch Trump ally. His increasing grip over federal agencies has led to tensions, particularly after his directive resulted in the firing of thousands of government employees. Just recently, Musk faced backlash for asking government employees to list five accomplishments weekly or resign, a move opposed by several agencies.
Media speculation:
The relationship between Trump and Musk has been closely scrutinized, with critics alleging that Musk has gained significant influence over Trump. Both Trump and Musk have denied these claims. In a joint interview earlier this month, the two men claimed that the media was attempting to drive them apart. Musk, who is in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is leading efforts to downsize the federal government.
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