Dan Scavino's AI champagne video draws bipartisan backlash as midterms loom

The useful part

Trump's deputy chief of staff eviscerated for tone-deaf champagne-popping AI post. "This is not an intended for the Dems heads to explode — Being some of the post State Dinner party has gotten out, I felt inclined to share mine as well, in complete transparency, with the American People. However, it wasn't just Democrats who had a knee-jerk reaction to the post, which comes as Trump's poll numbers continue to plummet ahead of the November midterms.

How it works

• A recent Politico poll showed 53 percent of Americans couldn't recall struggling harder to make ends meet — and 46 percent said they felt that Trump was fully or mostly responsible for the state of the economy.
• 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," conservative activist Carrie Prejean Boller...
• It's astonishing." "Very relatable to Americans who are getting crushed by inflation, gas prices & cost of living," another noted.
• The images depict Trump, Elon Musk, Marco Rubio and other officials partying with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
• Scavino wrote "...as the typical nutters are losing their s* over AI created content, well done!

What to take from it

It is AI, correct?" The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. Decision Desk HQ forecasts a 72 percent probability of Democrats taking control of the House and a 54 percent probability of the party winning the Senate. President Donald Trump is facing the worst approval rating of his second term at just 32 percent, according to Reuters.

Example or evidence

• last week (AFP/Getty) Trump campaigned in 2024 on lowering costs for everyday Americans and not starting any new wars but the U.S.
• conflict with Iran has led to elevated prices at gas pump, grocery store and across a plethora of everyday essentials.
• The president has undertaken a number of taxpayer-funded lavish renovations at the White House including breaking ground on a $600 million ballroom.
• Democrats have hammered Republicans by campaigning on the cost of living crisis ahead of the November midterms.

Details worth keeping

This is really going to resonate with everyday Americans. There is little over a month to go until the midterm elections. and at least some in the Republican party have taken note.

Related coverage

• Mediaite: A longtime key staffer of President Donald Trump's is catching heat over an AI video he posted of himself and his administration pals living it up.
• Huffpost: One critic joked that Dan Scavino's post was "precisely the midterm messaging the GOP needs."
• Thepoke: If you were wondering whether Dan Scavino – the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office and the White House Deputy Chief of Staff – has a professional and measured approach to his social...
• Huffpost: Aaron Rupar's mention of Trump's 30-something aide seemed to grind the administration's gears.
• Theguardian: Candidates have been selected for November's midterms – have Republicans and Democrats made the right choices?