A bizarre video surfaced over Labor Day weekend, seemingly showing large objects being tossed out of a White House window, and it quickly went viral. President Donald Trump addressed the situation during a press conference, attributing the phenomenon to artificial intelligence. Interestingly, a spokesperson from the White House told Time magazine it was just routine maintenance.
The video first appeared on Instagram on August 31, shared by the account WashingtonianProbs.
“One of our community members noticed some things being thrown out of one of The White House’s windows today. Doing some deep Sunday cleaning?” the caption read, as the video was submitted anonymously.
The video’s popularity spread across various platforms like X, Bluesky, Threads, and TikTok. This spike in interest coincided with public concern regarding Trump’s health, fueled by recent observations of his blackened right hand and fewer public appearances, raising doubts if he was on his deathbed.
“No, that’s probably AI-generated”
During the news conference aimed at announcing the relocation of the U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Alabama, a Fox News reporter, Peter Doocy, inquired about the viral video.
“There’s a video that is circulating online now of the White House, where a window is open to the residents upstairs, and somebody is throwing a big bag out the window. Have you seen this?” Doocy asked.
Trump replied, “No, that’s probably AI-generated. Actually, you can’t open the windows. You know why? They’re all heavily armored and bulletproof.” When asked if the video was fake, he said, “It’s got to be because I know every window up there.” He further noted that there are cameras everywhere and mentioned First Lady Melania Trump’s complaints about the inability to open windows for fresh air.
As Doocy demonstrated the video on his phone, Trump reiterated, “those windows are sealed,” maintaining that no one could open them.
“If something happens really bad, just blame AI”
Trump seemed eager to transition to the next question but took a moment to criticize the traditional media for the video, suggesting, “it’s the kind of thing they do.” While the video originated from non-traditional media, it’s likely that distinction was lost on Trump.
Interestingly, Trump made comments that invited speculation. “And one of the problems we have with AI, it’s both good and bad. If something happens really bad, just blame AI,” he remarked, almost suggesting he could deflect any negative media portrayal to AI.
He elaborated, “But also they create things, you know, it works both ways. If something happens, it’s really bad, maybe I’ll have to just blame AI. But there’s truth to it because I see so many phony things.” This admission was somewhat unusual, reflecting Trump’s unique perspective.
The conversation soon shifted to a viral AI-generated video depicting Trump’s life cycle from a baby to adulthood, which caught his attention. “I saw something, as I was growing up, from the time I was a baby ’til now. I said, ‘Who did that?’ It was AI-generated. So it’s a little bit scary, to be honest with you,” he confessed, reiterating, “but those windows are all very heavily sealed.”
Trump likely referred to this video, shared by his advisor and social media expert, Dan Scavino Jr.
Regular maintenance
So, what does the controversial video truly depict? According to Time, it wasn’t AI-generated at all. The publication provided a statement from an unnamed White House spokesperson, stating, “It was a contractor who was doing regular maintenance while the President was gone.”
After Trump’s remarks at the press conference regarding AI, Time adjusted the wording of its article, giving higher visibility to Trump’s interpretation. The report now indicates, “Trump’s comments on the viral video came hours after a White House official gave TIME a statement that implied the video’s content was real.”
It appears the spokesperson did more than just imply the video was genuine. If construction work was indeed conducted while the president was away, that explanation makes perfect sense.
Un-politically correct
The rest of the Tuesday press conference was equally unusual. Doocy also brought up the rumors regarding Trump’s health, prompting an amusing exchange.
DOOCY: How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead?
TRUMP: …
DOOCY: You see that?
TRUMP: No … I heard that. I get reports.
Despite declaring English as the official language of the U.S., Trump also criticized some court rulings on his tariff policies as “un-politically correct,” an ironic choice of words.
Thus far, it seems that Trump is neither on his deathbed nor losing touch with reality, although his responses may raise eyebrows.
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