On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump dismissed a viral video showing a black trash bag being thrown out of a White House window as likely “AI-generated,” despite multiple credible sources confirming the video’s authenticity. The clip, which circulated widely over the weekend, appears to show a contractor disposing of garbage during ongoing maintenance work at the presidential residence.
During a press conference in the Oval Office, Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked Trump if he had seen the video. Trump responded by expressing skepticism about its legitimacy, stating, “No, that’s probably AI-generated.” He added further that the White House windows where the video was recorded couldn’t have been open because, in his words, “they’re all heavily armored and bulletproof.” Trump asserted that every window weighed about 600 pounds, was sealed, and would require considerable strength to open.
After Doocy showed Trump the video on his phone, the former president remarked that the realism of AI-generated content was “a little bit scary,” but remained convinced that the footage was fake. This response came despite the White House press office publicly acknowledging the video as real, clarifying that it depicted routine maintenance by a contractor during Trump’s absence rather than any suspicious activity.
The viral video depicts a second-floor window of the White House residence opening and a black plastic bag being thrown out, which sparked speculation and rumors online. However, official statements and reporting by outlets such as The New York Times confirmed it was a routine trash disposal procedure and not indicative of any wrongdoing or security breach.
In addition to addressing the video, Trump also dismissed a range of social media rumors about his health circulating at the time, labeling them as “fake news,” including unfounded claims that he might be deceased.
The incident highlights growing challenges leaders face in managing misinformation, particularly with the increasing use of artificial intelligence to create convincing but fabricated content. Trump’s remarks underlined a skepticism toward digital media authenticity, even when confronted with evidence to the contrary from official sources.
While the viral clip was confirmed real by White House officials, the former president’s insistence on an AI explanation reflects the broader climate of distrust and confusion perpetuated by deepfake technology and rapid online rumor spread.