A Twitter account claiming to be run by a staffer (or staffers) in Donald Trump’s White House has racked up over 300,000 followers in less than a month by tweeting what it claims to be behind-the-scenes details from “rogue” staffers.
The @RoguePOTUSStaff account’s bio bills the handle as “the unofficial resistance team inside the White House.” It states, “We will not reveal our identity to anyone! The only way to keep a secret is to keep it secret!”
The feed features a pinned tweet that reads, “When well intended patriots disagree, that’s democracy. When POTUS says it’s not fact until he approves it, that’s tyranny.”
Several Twitter accounts posing as insiders in the past have been revealed to be outsiders who were tapped-in media types or really obsessive amateurs, but @RoguePOTUSStaff appears to move in real time as events occur inside the White House.
If the Trump Administration did, indeed, have a whistleblower, it’s curious why they would risk their identity with a fake Twitter account as opposed to feeding information to journalists at a major newspaper such as The New York Times or The Washington Post.
The individual running the account did not respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
A similar account, @whitehouseleak, was pointed out by Daily Kos last week. It was shut down, and eventually came back, but it has not tweeted since Jan. 27.
The Arizona Republic recently published a guide to fake government sites, but it does not mention@RoguePOTUSStaff. “POTUS fully overwhelmed after full week on the job,” the account wrote in one of many messages that depict Trump as a leader who is in over his head.
If the account is fake, it’s a highly entertaining and informed parody. If it turns out to be legitimately run by White House staffers, then it could ultimately play a part in chronicling the history of America and paints a picture of a highly chaotic White House.
Check out some of the tweets that have gained attention:
We've decided that if POTUS can tweet from a non government then so can we. https://t.co/y6OOGOPXQv
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 26, 2017
POTUS: Use external email accts for information control. Maintain an official acct with "filler" to "make it look good."
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 26, 2017
Real concern starting to emerge that POTUS not even acting as he believes best, just for spite. Ex: gutting EU data law because Obama.
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 26, 2017
POTUS has ordered Spicer to say meeting will be rescheduled even though POTUS has no interest in doing so.
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 26, 2017
Kellyanne is a touchy one herself. Hides it better than POTUS, though. Those two, a match made in heaven.
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 26, 2017
POTUS asking around about people's Photoshop skills. Says inauguration photos need to be "touched up."
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 27, 2017
White House survival 101: DO NOT accuse POTUS without evidence. Even a bad POTUS is still a powerful POTUS.
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 27, 2017
Overheard through locked door: "Don't they know I'm the f— President!?" POTUS displeased at resistance. #resist
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 27, 2017
Office pool quietly taking bets on how long it takes Priebus and Bannon to turn into Holyfield v Tyson.
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 27, 2017
This starting to get scary. Four of these messages in the inbox today. Not indications yet that POTUS is aware of this acct, but someone is. pic.twitter.com/mfihbghTVr
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 27, 2017
VP Pence to sit in on POTUS/Putin phone call tomorrow. POTUS doesn't like idea, but gave in to pressure from #UnholyTrinity .
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 28, 2017
POTUS was dismissive of PM May. "I hope she'll like us, but she doesn't have much to offer."
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 28, 2017
Strategy talk leading up to POTUS interview tonight has been weighing whether to publicly acknowledge that no Obamacare replacement planned.
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 28, 2017
POTUS fully overwhelmed after full week on the job. Things spilling over into out of office lives for everyone.
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 29, 2017
Priebus calling @MeetThePress interview "disaster." POTUS appears uncooperative on fixing EO problems, more worried about press coverage.
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 29, 2017
Suspicion that Bannon urging POTUS to egg on protests, then call in National Guard to disperse, as demonstration of power. #resistpeacefully
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 29, 2017
Anyone making comments or replies that associate this acct with even a vague suggestion of violence against POTUS et al gets blocked.
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 30, 2017
Trending office joke: Last week he wanted more media attention, this week he wants less. Maybe next week he'll go on vakay & leave us alone.
— Rogue POTUS Staff (@RoguePOTUSStaff) January 30, 2017