Federal authorities have identified the individual responsible for hacking into the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) television system and broadcasting an AI-generated video of President Donald Trump kissing billionaire Elon Musk’s feet. The unauthorized broadcast, which took place Monday, has led to an internal investigation and possible legal action.
A HUD representative confirmed that the individual responsible was escorted off the property on Tuesday and that legal ramifications are being considered. The department is also exploring whether termination or suspension of certain services is necessary.
The AI-generated video, which played on loop in HUD’s cafeteria, included the message: “LONG LIVE THE REAL KING.” Employees reportedly had to manually shut off the televisions to stop the broadcast. The incident gained attention after an unnamed HUD employee leaked footage to Wired, causing widespread discussion about the use of AI-generated content in government spaces.
Kasey Lovett, a HUD spokesperson, condemned the incident as a misuse of taxpayer dollars and vowed that appropriate disciplinary action would follow.
The controversy comes amid growing tensions over Musk’s role in the federal government. As head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, Musk has overseen major budget cuts, including layoffs at HUD. A leaked internal memo revealed that roughly 4,000 HUD employees are expected to be terminated as part of cost-cutting measures.
Musk also made headlines over the weekend by directing the Office of Personnel Management to request weekly progress reports from federal employees. After initial resistance, OPM clarified that the request was not mandatory.
As HUD continues its investigation, the incident raises broader concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the increasing use of AI in political messaging.
