A shocking cyberattack took place Monday morning when hackers infiltrated a television at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), broadcasting an unsettling AI-generated video of President Donald Trump caressing and kissing the feet of billionaire Elon Musk.
The bizarre incident, first reported by Vox journalist Rachel Cohen, occurred in the cafeteria of HUD’s headquarters. Along with the footage, the message “LONG LIVE THE REAL KING” blared from the screen, adding to the confusion and controversy surrounding the act.
The video quickly ignited debates among lawmakers and the public. Congressional Democrats, left-leaning commentators, and critics have frequently referred to Musk as “President Musk” in an attempt to highlight his growing influence within the Trump administration. Watch the added video below.
In response to the video, Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Not all heroes wear capes,” in a seemingly sarcastic nod to Musk’s perceived political sway.
Meanwhile, polling data suggests that many Americans believe Musk wields excessive power within the government, particularly as he oversees the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is responsible for auditing federal agencies, including HUD. Despite concerns about Musk’s influence, voters broadly support the mission of cutting government spending.
It remains unclear whether a group of cybercriminals or another entity was responsible for the breach. However, the AI-generated footage closely resembles an X post from the previous week, raising suspicions about its origin.
HUD spokesperson Kasey Lovett condemned the incident, stating, “Another waste of taxpayer dollars and resources. Appropriate action will be taken for all involved.”
The controversy follows Trump’s recent declaration of victory against New York’s $9 congestion pricing fee for drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street. “Congestion pricing is dead. Manhattan, and all of New York, is saved. Long Live The King!” Trump posted on Truth Social last week.
The statement reportedly inspired an AI-generated image portraying Trump on a mock Time magazine cover, his name replacing the publication’s title, with the Manhattan skyline in the background.
Meanwhile, DOGE announced this month that it had recovered $1.9 billion in previously misplaced HUD funds and canceled $4 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) contracts. Musk celebrated the achievement on X, stating, “It is astounding how much taxpayer money can be saved with even a small amount of effort.”
Over the weekend, Musk also demanded that all federal employees summarize their weekly accomplishments in five bullet points, further emphasizing his push for government efficiency.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner assured reporters that the department is actively working with DOGE to optimize operations. “There is more to come,” Turner said. “We’re reviewing every HUD program to ensure every dollar spent aligns with our mission to provide quality, affordable housing.”
