Cyberpunk behind HUD AI video of Trump kissing Musk’s feet was on taxpayer-funded union time: whistleblower
A shocking revelation has emerged about the individual responsible for hacking into a federal TV system and playing a vile, AI-generated video of President Trump kissing Elon Musk's feet. The cyberpunk, who is identified as a high-ranking union official within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), allegedly pulled off the stunt on taxpayers' dime.
The whistleblower, who has come forward to Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), claims that the hacker was a senior member of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 476, which represents government workers. The union official's identity remains under investigation due to the sensitive nature of the allegations.
"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," Senator Ernst told The Post. "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."
AFGE Local 476 President Dr. Ashaki Robinson denied any involvement in the production or dissemination of the AI video featuring President Trump and Elon Musk, stating that "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."
According to Robinson, official time amounts are negotiated and determined by both the agency and the union, and can only be used for employee representational matters, not for political purposes or internal union business. The union official emphasized that "union workers must adhere to strict guidelines when using taxpayer-funded union time."
The Revolting Clip
The revolting clip of an artificial Trump caressing an artificial Musk's feet played on the television sets in a cafeteria at HUD headquarters with the message "LONG LIVE THE REAL KING." The breach occurred at the height of criticism of the Tesla and SpaceX boss for his work at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
A Call to Reform
HUD is exploring how to reform the expansive and oftentimes abused flexibility inherent in taxpayer-funded union time, a practice by which government employees are allowed to engage in labor activity during working hours. The department's spokesperson stated that "it is egregious [that] the American taxpayer is on the hook for subsidizing the paychecks of union workers while these nefarious actions take place."
"The Department will continue to work with leaders like Senator Ernst to return HUD to its mission-minded focus and stop the wasteful abuse of taxpayer dollars," the spokesperson added. The department has been a frequent target of criticism from lawmakers, including Senator Ernst, who has been a fierce advocate for ending taxpayer-funded union time.
The Fallout
Senator Ernst has blasted out requests to 24 government agencies demanding data on taxpayer-funded union time and has pushed for legislation to end the practice. The last time comprehensive data on the topic was published in 2019, when the Office of Personnel Management found that $135 million had been used on taxpayer-funded union time across the government.
While federal workers are not prohibited from engaging in advocacy on policy issues, the Hatch Act restricts executive branch employees from participating in rallies or soliciting donations for political campaigns during work. Examples of political activity by HUD employees include participation in events or other activities featuring nearly a dozen Democratic lawmakers.
A Call to Action
"This raises potential Hatch Act violations. These too should be investigated," Senator Ernst wrote in her letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner. Additionally, the senator asked for HUD to look into whether employees have been "misusing their government travel."