A peculiar event unfolded at the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) headquarters in Washington, D. C. Employees walked in to find a bizarre video playing on internal TV screens. The video was a fake, created using artificial intelligence, showing President Donald Trump kissing the feet of billionaire Elon Musk. The caption read, "Long live the real king, " hinting at a power dynamic between the two figures. This prank came at a time when many federal employees were returning to their offices after being allowed to work from home. It also followed significant layoffs across the federal government, including at HUD, where some managers were told to expect a 50% reduction in staff.

The video quickly became a hot topic of conversation among employees. Many saw it as a form of resistance and a way to bring some joy during a tough time. The prank was shared widely on social media, including by some official Democratic accounts. One account on X, associated with Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee, even commented, "Not all heroes wear capes. " This light-hearted response did not sit well with HUD Secretary Scott Turner’s representatives, who condemned the use of taxpayer resources in this way. A HUD spokesperson, Kasey Lovett, stated that appropriate action would be taken against those involved. The White House and Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The video was not a one-off creation. Similar videos had been circulating on X for about a week, all featuring Musk with two left feet—a common error in AI-generated content. This prank was not the first of its kind. It was earlier reported by The Washington Post and by independent journalist Marisa Kabas. The prank highlighted the growing use of AI in creating humorous and sometimes controversial content. It also raised questions about workplace culture and the use of public resources for personal amusement. The incident sparked conversations about the boundaries of acceptable behavior in a federal workplace and the role of humor in coping with workplace stress. The prank also highlighted the growing use of AI in creating humorous and sometimes controversial content. It also raised questions about workplace culture and the use of public resources for personal amusement.

The incident sparked conversations about the boundaries of acceptable behavior in a federal workplace and the role of humor in coping with workplace stress. The prank also highlighted the growing use of AI in creating humorous and sometimes controversial content. It also raised questions about workplace culture and the use of public resources for personal amusement. The incident sparked conversations about the boundaries of acceptable behavior in a federal workplace and the role of humor in coping with workplace stress.

Musk and Trump: The Prank That Shocked a Federal Office

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