Undercover video: White House aides call Trump ‘dangerous’

An undercover video released May 12, 2026, shows two White House staffers criticizing President Donald Trump and describing instances where staff moved policy work without direct presidential orders.

The recording identifies Maxim Lott as a Special Assistant on the Domestic Policy Council. In the footage Lott describes how some policy ideas progress because staff believe they understand what the president would support rather than from a formal directive. He cited work on blocking robocalls as an example of staff advancing a proposal based on expected presidential backing.

Lott did not deny the meeting in a written response aired with the footage. He wrote that nothing he said contradicted the administration and that he remained committed to carrying out its agenda.

The other aide is identified as a senior budget analyst and funding manager named Elliston. Elliston is recorded calling the president “dangerous” and at one point appears to say, “We’ve got to get rid of Trump.” The recording also includes Elliston describing the president as believing he is “invincible” and as reckless because of that belief.

Elliston raises several financial and ethics concerns in the recording, including private donations tied to a White House ballroom renovation, possible taxpayer funding to retrofit a Boeing 747 reportedly gifted by Qatar, and alleged insider trading related to Iran policy and oil prices. The release accompanying the footage flagged those claims as unverified.

The outlet did not publish full unedited footage. The team reported it attempted follow-up calls to both aides; Elliston offered no substantive comment and Lott’s written reply was the only direct response broadcast. Independent verification of the clips has not been provided.

Some political allies of the president called for personnel action and for an inspector general or congressional review. Other observers pointed to media coverage and the host’s recent public criticisms of the president. The White House did not comment publicly on the recordings.

The recording follows earlier undercover reporting by the activist behind the release. No formal personnel moves or investigations were announced at the time of publication.