“Long live the real king!” Federal employees at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) were met with an unexpected and bizarre surprise on February 24, 2025. Television screens across the building, including those in the cafeteria, began playing a short video of former President Donald Trump kissing the feet of billionaire Elon Musk. The video, created using artificial intelligence, was accompanied by the phrase “LONG LIVE THE REAL KING” and looped continuously for nearly five minutes before it was manually shut down by staff.
The incident occurred on the first day that HUD employees were required to return to the office after remote work policies were officially ended by Trump’s executive order. Many were left confused, while others speculated whether it was an elaborate prank or a politically motivated act of protest.
A Growing Concern Over Cybersecurity
The event has raised serious concerns about cybersecurity in federal agencies. HUD officials have launched an investigation to determine who was behind the broadcast and how they were able to hijack the agency’s internal television system. Kasey Lovett, a spokesperson for HUD, condemned the incident, calling it “a gross misuse of government resources and an attack on the integrity of our workplace.” The breach suggests potential vulnerabilities in government networks, highlighting the need for stronger digital security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Experts warn that this type of cyberattack could become more common with the rise of AI-generated media, which can convincingly create fake videos that appear real. “This isn’t just a prank; it’s a demonstration of how easy it is to manipulate digital content and spread misinformation,” said cybersecurity analyst Jamie Rowland.
What’s Behind the Video?
The AI-generated video appeared to mock the relationship between Trump and Musk, who has recently gained significant influence in federal operations. Musk was appointed to lead an informal government advisory team focused on reducing bureaucracy and cutting costs. His efforts have resulted in major budget cuts, including the elimination of diversity and inclusion programs, which some critics argue unfairly target federal workers. Trump himself has fueled speculation about his relationship with Musk. A recent post on his social media platform, Truth Social, featured an image of Trump wearing a crown with the caption, “Long live the King!” Some believe the AI video was created as a satirical response to this post.
Reactions and Fallout
Reactions to the incident have been mixed. Some see it as a humorous, albeit inappropriate, protest against Trump and Musk’s growing influence over government policy. Others are deeply concerned about the implications of AI-generated media being used in political messaging. “The fact that this happened in a federal building should be alarming to everyone,” said political commentator Lisa Morgan. “It shows just how vulnerable we are to digital misinformation. If a joke video can be broadcast in a government office, imagine what could happen during an election year.” While the investigation is still ongoing, this event has sparked a larger conversation about cybersecurity, AI-generated media, and the role of digital manipulation in modern politics. For now, federal agencies are being urged to strengthen their security measures to prevent similar hacks in the futu