A senior White House official has been placed on administrative leave after an undercover sting operation allegedly caught him trashing President Donald Trump behind closed doors.
Benjamin Ellisten, a senior budget analyst and funding manager who has worked in the White House since 2024, was recorded telling an undercover journalist linked to James O’Keefe that Trump is a “madman” who is “f*cking it up for everybody.”
Ellisten also reportedly called Trump a “mess” and said, “gotta get rid of him,” according to footage highlighted by the Daily Caller.
After the undercover video surfaced, a White House official confirmed Ellisten had been placed on leave, while making clear he does not work directly with President Trump or senior leadership.
“Such views expressed by the individual are not reflective of patriots who admirably serve in the Administration,” the official said.