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Scavino’s AI champagne video sparks GOP tone-deaf backlash

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 11:49 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino posted an AI-generated champagne-popping video on Instagram after Thursday’s State Dinner for Xi Jinping.
The clip shows Scavino, Erin, Eric Trump and Lara Trump riding a luggage cart to Pitbull’s “Don’t Stop the Party.”
Conservative figures Carrie Prejean Boller, Meghan McCain and Jonah Goldberg condemned the post as tone-deaf amid widespread cost-of-living struggles.
Republicans warned the episode could damage GOP messaging before the 2026 midterm elections, where polls predict a possible wipeout.

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Story summary

Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino posted an AI-generated champagne-popping video on Instagram after Thursday’s State Dinner for Xi Jinping.
The clip shows Scavino, Erin, Eric Trump and Lara Trump riding a luggage cart to Pitbull’s “Don’t Stop the Party.”
Conservative figures Carrie Prejean Boller, Meghan McCain and Jonah Goldberg condemned the post as tone-deaf amid widespread cost-of-living struggles.
Republicans warned the episode could damage GOP messaging before the 2026 midterm elections, where polls predict a possible wipeout.