Undercover Video Shows White House Staff Call Trump ‘Dangerous’

On May 12, 2026, activist James O’Keefe published undercover footage that shows two White House staffers — Special Assistant Maxim Lott and senior budget analyst Elliston — in conversations with an undercover operative. The clips include a characterization of President Donald Trump as ‘dangerous’ and a recording in which an official says ‘we’ve got to get rid of Trump.’ The full unedited recordings were not released and the segments have not been independently verified.

In the recordings, Lott describes how policy moves through the Domestic Policy Council. He says staff often act on what they believe the president would support and that some proposals proceed without a direct order. Lott is recorded saying many decisions ‘feel like a good idea’ and acknowledging that Trump may be unaware of some council initiatives. He gives an example involving efforts to block or prosecute robocalls that staff pursued based on assumed presidential backing.

Elliston is recorded making stronger comments about the president’s temperament, including the remark that Trump ‘literally is invincible, nothing can stop him,’ and adding that that state of mind is ‘dangerous.’ In one clip, Elliston is recorded telling the undercover operative, ‘we’ve got to get rid of Trump.’ The footage also contains budget-related claims attributed to Elliston, including questions about private donations for a White House ballroom renovation, a suggestion that taxpayer funds could be used to retrofit a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar, and an allegation that people close to the administration profited from crude oil price moves after escalations with Iran. Those financial and trading claims were presented without independent verification.

Excerpts were posted online and the team behind the recordings attempted on-air follow-up contacts with both officials. Lott provided a written response that read, ‘Nothing I said was contradictory of this administration. I remain fully committed to helping carry out its agenda.’ Elliston did not offer a substantive public comment during the broadcast. The program was hosted by Owen Shroyer in O’Keefe’s absence.

Some viewers called for personnel action and for inspector general or congressional inquiries. Others noted the host’s prior public criticisms of the president. The White House has not publicly responded to the recordings.