Politics in 2025 has basically become a fever dream. If you were scrolling through your feed last February and saw headlines about Trump licking Elon's feet, you probably assumed it was a bad joke or a feverish hallucination. But for employees at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Washington, D.C., it was very, very real. Well, real in the sense that it was physically playing on their office monitors.
It wasn't a secret tape. It wasn't a leaked paparazzi shot. It was a bizarre, high-definition piece of AI-generated protest art that turned a government building into a theater of the absurd.
The Morning the HUD Monitors Went Rogue
On February 24, 2025, HUD staff arrived at their headquarters expecting the usual slog of spreadsheets and policy updates. Instead, they were greeted by a loop of President Donald Trump appearing to enthusiastically massage and kiss the bare feet of Elon Musk.
The video was captioned with four words that set the internet on fire: “LONG LIVE THE REAL KING.” It played in the cafeteria. It played on the internal news feeds. Honestly, the level of detail was enough to make anyone do a double-take. However, the "two left feet" on Musk's character were a dead giveaway that this was a deepfake. Despite the technical flaws, the message was clear. Someone inside the building—likely a disgruntled employee facing the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) axe—wanted to send a message about who they thought was really running the country.
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Why the Footage Surfaced When It Did
The timing wasn't a coincidence. Elon Musk had recently been appointed to lead DOGE, a role that saw him proposing massive cuts to federal agencies. HUD was right in the crosshairs. Tensions were at an all-time high, with thousands of workers fearing for their jobs.
- Mass Layoffs: Musk was pushing for a "hardcore" reduction in federal staff.
- The Power Dynamic: Critics argued Trump was becoming too dependent on Musk's wealth and tech infrastructure.
- Internal Rebellion: The video was seen by many staff members as a "sign of resistance" against the new administration's austerity measures.
The Trump-Musk Alliance: Bromance or Power Struggle?
To understand why the "Trump licking Elon's feet" video resonated so much, you have to look at the actual relationship between the two men. It's been a wild ride. In 2024, they were inseparable. Musk donated over $200 million to Trump’s campaign. Trump called him a "super genius" and a "star."
But by mid-2025, the honeymoon was over.
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They had a "big, beautiful" breakup over the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Musk called the spending bill a "disgusting abomination" because it increased the national debt and cut EV subsidies. Trump, never one to take criticism lightly, shot back that he would have won Pennsylvania without Elon anyway. He even threatened to cancel SpaceX contracts.
The Feud Timeline
- January 2025: Musk is the "First Buddy," practically living at Mar-a-Lago.
- February 2025: The AI foot-licking video goes viral at HUD, mocking Trump's perceived subservience.
- June 2025: The public blowout occurs over federal spending and EV mandates.
- September 2025: A "thaw" begins after the two are seen together at a memorial service.
- January 2026: Trump turns back to Musk for help with Starlink and international crises.
Fact-Checking the Viral Claims
Let's be 100% clear: Donald Trump did not literally lick Elon Musk's feet. The footage was an AI-generated deepfake created with tools that have become incredibly sophisticated in the last year. NBC News and other outlets confirmed with HUD officials that the video was a prank, likely uploaded to the internal network by someone with high-level access.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner’s team called it an "abuse of taxpayer resources." Meanwhile, some Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee joked that "not all heroes wear capes," suggesting the prankster was a whistleblower of sorts.
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The real story isn't about feet; it's about the perception of power. The video used a gross-out metaphor to highlight a legitimate political concern: the influence of a billionaire over the executive branch of the United States government.
What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
As of early 2026, the two are back on speaking terms. Trump recently mentioned calling Elon to help with internet access in Iran, and they had a "lovely dinner" at Mar-a-Lago just a few days ago. But the "foot-licking" meme hasn't gone away. It’s become a permanent part of the political lexicon, a shorthand for anyone who thinks the President is being "played" by Silicon Valley interests.
Actionable Takeaways for Navigating Modern News
- Check the Extremities: In AI videos, look at the hands and feet. As we saw in the Musk video, AI still struggles with things like "two left feet."
- Follow the Money: The tension between these two usually boils down to subsidies and contracts, not just personal insults.
- Verify the Source: If a "shocking" video appears only on internal monitors or obscure social accounts without a reputable press pool present, it’s almost certainly a fake.
The saga of the Trump and Musk relationship is far from over. Whether they are best friends or bitter rivals, they remain the two most influential men in the world. Just don't believe everything you see on a cafeteria TV.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to stay ahead of the next viral deepfake, you should start by auditing the news sources you follow on social media. Look for "verified" clips from multiple angles before sharing. You can also monitor the official DOGE reports to see if the policy changes that triggered the HUD protest are actually being implemented.