An offensive AI-generated video of Donald Trump kissing Elon Musk’s feet that was played at a government building this year was created by a federal employee, allegedly while they were getting taxpayer dollars.
The video showing what appears to be Trump smooching the toes of Musk was featured on TV monitors in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in February.
The clip, first reported by Vox, was created using AI and played on TV screens inside the agency’s cafeteria during the workday.
Authorities have since identified the individual responsible, though they have not released their name as the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Now, a whistleblower has come forward to expose that the person allegedly responsible for the video was a HUD employee and union member who carried out the hack all while on taxpayer-funded union time (TFUT).
The revelation that the perpetrator allegedly carried out the stint while getting paid was first revealed to Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst.
Ernst sent a letter to HUD Sec. Scott Turner on Thursday demanding he investigate the incident, which was reportedly carried out by a senior official at the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 476 – the largest union for federal workers.
‘Reports of union bosses playing childish games and illegally engaging in partisan political activity while on the taxpayers’ dime are the latest in a string of concerning allegations against HUD employees in recent years,’ Ernst wrote.
An AI-generated image of Donald Trump smooching Elon Musk’s feet
The phrase ‘Long live the real king’ was emblazoned over the AI-generated clip
‘From bureaucrats relaxing on the beach or sitting in a jail cell while on the clock, the agency has been the poster child for why taxpayer-funded union time needs to end.’
The Iowa Republican also notes in her letter that the hack at HUD is ‘potentially illegal.’
In a statement to the Daily Mail, AFGE Local 476 President Dr. Ashaki Robinson denied the union had any involvement with the AI-generated video.
‘AFGE Local 476 unequivocally denies any involvement in the production or dissemination of the AI video featuring President Trump and Elon Musk.’
‘This baseless allegation is another transparent attempt to attack and retaliate against AFGE for engaging lawful activity to advocate for our members and federal employees nationwide,’ he continued.
Federal employee unions are not able to negotiate salaries and benefits, which instead are determined by law, but they are able to advocate for other workplace issues.
These union members, however, are allowed to collect taxpayer-funded paychecks while on the clock doing union-related activity, like negotiating for members.
The Office of Personnel Management reported in FY2019 that over $160 million was doled out to federal workers for union work.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, sent a letter to HUD Sec. Scott Turner demanding he investigate whether a HUD employee hacked the agency’s TV monitors while getting paid by U.S. taxpayer dollars like the whistleblower alleged
Earlier this year the White House released new guidance on TFUT stating it may only be authorized ‘in amounts that are reasonable, necessary, and in the public interest.’
The memo also noted how agency’s must ‘monitor its use to see that it is used efficiently.’
Ernst has long railed against taxpayers being on the hook to pay for union-related activities.
Earlier this year she and Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Fla., reintroduced the Taxpayer-Funded Union Time Transparency Act to require additional disclosures from federal agencies outlining how TFUT is spent.
