A whistleblower has accused a high-ranking union official at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of hacking into federal systems to broadcast an artificial intelligence-generated video of President Donald Trump kissing Elon Musk's feet-while on taxpayer-funded union time.
The video, which ran across television screens in the HUD cafeteria in February, featured a digitally altered Trump bowing to Musk, accompanied by the message "LONG LIVE THE REAL KING." According to internal communications shared with Sen. Joni Ernst (R., Iowa), the individual responsible was identified by federal investigators as a senior figure within the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 476.
"This improper access to the HUD computer system was not only childish and unprofessional, but also potentially illegal," Ernst wrote in a letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, adding, "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."
The Department confirmed the breach and said it is working to reform what it described as the "oftentimes abused flexibility inherent in taxpayer-funded union time." A HUD spokesperson stated, "It is egregious [that] the American taxpayer is on the hook for subsidizing the paychecks of union workers while these nefarious actions take place."
Dr. Ashaki Robinson, president of AFGE Local 476, issued a firm denial. The union "unequivocally denies any involvement in the production or dissemination of the AI video featuring President Trump and Elon Musk," Robinson told The New York Post. "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."
The incident occurred as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), overseen by Musk, initiated layoffs. The video's appearance at that moment heightened tensions within HUD and sparked scrutiny into potential violations of the Hatch Act, which bars executive branch employees from participating in political activity during work hours.
Ernst, who leads the Senate's DOGE Caucus, has also requested HUD investigate whether union officials attended political events-some featuring Democratic lawmakers including Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D., Md.) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D., Calif.)-while on paid union time. "This raises potential Hatch Act violations," Ernst wrote. "These too should be investigated."
The whistleblower claims add to a growing list of concerns about HUD operations. Ernst cited past examples of HUD workers allegedly "relaxing on the beach or sitting in a jail cell while on the clock," and reiterated her call for an end to taxpayer-funded union time.
