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White House's Chicago 'chaos' video uses footage from other cities

AFP · Bill McCarthy · last updated

A dramatic voiceover video shared by the White House and US President Donald Trump claims to show immigration agents responding to the “mess” in Chicago as the Republican seeks to justify deploying National Guard troops to the Democrat-run city. But an AFP investigation found that the video is littered with outdated footage highlighting drug busts, arrests and deportation raids in other states, including Florida, Texas, South Carolina and Nebraska.

“An incompetent Mayor,” the White House’s official X account captioned the October 8, 2025 post. “A delusional Governor. Chicago is in chaos, and the American people are paying the price. Chicago doesn’t need political spin — it needs HELP.”

Trump later shared the video on his Truth Social platform.

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