Trump Deputy Chief of Staff Faces Backlash Over AI Party Video Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis

GOP deputy chief of staff criticized for tone-deaf AI video amid rising inflation and midterm election tensions.

September 29, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino has drawn sharp criticism from within his own party over an AI-generated social media post that appears to depict a lavish celebration at the White House during a time of widespread economic hardship.

The video, shared by Scavino, shows him in a tuxedo alongside his second wife, Erin Elmore, and Lara Trump, as they ride a gold luggage cart through the White House to Pitbull’s “Don’t Stop the Party.” The clip includes confetti and a scene with President Donald Trump entering the event. Scavino captioned the post: This is not an intended for the Dems heads to explode…

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Conservative figures and fellow Republicans have expressed outrage over the content, calling it tone-deaf and out of touch with Americans struggling with rising costs. Carrie Prejean Boller, a conservative activist, wrote, Many Americans can’t afford groceries, gas or their mortgage payment, and you post a tone deaf AI video of you and your buddies partying at the People’s House. Similar critiques came from Meghan McCain and other prominent voices on X, while CNN anchor Jake Tapper reshared the post, simply noting “WH deputy chief of staff.”

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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