Trump Says Video of 'Black Bags' Tossed From White House Window is AI — But Officials Offer Different Story

A short video showing items being ejected from a second-floor White House window has gone viral, triggering intense speculation. White House officials said it depicted routine maintenance, while President Donald Trump later insisted it must be AI-generated, citing sealed, bulletproof windows that he claims cannot be opened.

The Viral Clip

The video filmed by a passerby outside the White House shows what appears to be a black trash bag and another object being tossed from an upstairs window. It first surfaced on TikTok before spreading to X and other platforms, where it drew millions of views.

Almost immediately, theories took off online. Some users claimed the footage showed evidence being destroyed inside the executive mansion. Others tied it to political controversies already surrounding Trump. The hashtags #BlackBags and #WhiteHouseWindow trended for hours as speculation intensified.

Trump's Response

Trump addressed the uproar during a campaign stop in Florida, rejecting the clip as fake. 'It's fake artificial intelligence. Total nonsense. People will believe anything they see on a screen,' he told reporters.

He argued that White House windows are sealed and too heavy to open, suggesting the footage could not be authentic.

Trump added that he had reassured his wife, Melania, after she saw the video, calling it another example of 'fake news.'

For Trump, the episode fit neatly into his long-standing narrative of questioning media coverage and dismissing unflattering stories as fabricated.

What Officials Said

White House staff, however, offered a different explanation. According to a senior official, the clip shows contractors disposing of rubbish during routine maintenance inside the residence. 'It was normal work, nothing sinister,' the official told reporters.

The US Secret Service also reviewed the footage. After examining the material, agents concluded there was no security breach or criminal activity. A spokesperson confirmed the matter was closed, adding: 'The public is not at risk.'

Independent video analysts who reviewed the clip told reporters they found no evidence it had been digitally altered.

Public and Expert Reaction

Despite official reassurances, debate online only grew louder. Trump supporters echoed his claim that the video was AI-generated, while critics accused the administration of failing to be transparent.

Digital media experts pointed to the case as a warning about how quickly viral content can fuel mistrust. 'We are entering a time when it will be harder than ever to tell real from fake,' one analyst said. 'That confusion is exactly what bad actors exploit.'

The clash between Trump's dismissal and officials' explanation highlighted how even mundane events can take on a political edge in today's media environment.

Bigger Picture

The incident comes at a moment when public trust is already fragile. With AI-generated deepfakes becoming increasingly convincing, officials and media outlets face growing pressure to confirm what is real.

For Trump, calling the clip 'AI nonsense' reinforced his brand of scepticism. For the White House, the priority was to close the matter quickly and reassure the public.

Yet the video, whether seen as trash removal or political intrigue, has already left its mark online. In an era when even a falling garbage bag can spark headlines, the line between perception and reality grows thinner every day.