AI‑generated video scandal shakes federal agency amidst layoffs
Employees at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington were taken aback by an unusual video generated by artificial intelligence. The video, displayed throughout the building, featured President Donald Trump licking Elon Musk's feet.
The approximately five-minute video caused a commotion among employees who attempted to turn off the monitors in the corridors. Department spokeswoman Kasey Lovett confirmed that the clip was shown at the department's headquarters. In a statement, she assured the media that Appropriate actions would be taken for all involved.
Although the video was quickly removed from the department's screens, it quickly went viral on the Internet.
The AI-generated video shows Trump massaging and kissing Musk's feet, with Musk smiling at the U.S. President. In the video, Musk has two left feet, swiftly revealing the involvement of artificial intelligence in the controversial image. The screen displays the caption "LONG LIVE THE REAL KING".
Chaos in federal agencies
The video surfaced when Trump and Musk were conducting mass layoffs in federal agencies, causing chaos nationwide. The Musk-led entity plans to lay off nearly half of the Department of Housing and Urban Development's employees and 84% of the Office of Planning and Community Development staff.
On Saturday, federal employees received emails from the Office of Personnel Management asking them to list the tasks they completed at work last week. A few hours earlier, Musk posted on the social media platform X, stating that the lack of response "will be considered a resignation."
Last week, DOGE presented a review of cancelled government contracts, claiming that this move saved the state budget up to 55 billion dollars. However, the media challenged these claims, citing calculation errors (with millions represented as billions in one entry) and the fact that Musk's team included maximum amounts allocated for specific contracts on the savings side, even though CNN explained that it is unlikely that the government intended to spend at that level.
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