The Secret Service is investigating Donald Trump's butler

(Image credit: Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)

last updated 13 May 2016

Donald Trump's butler of almost 30 years is being investigated by the Secret Service after calling on Facebook for Obama to be "shot" and hanged. "[W]ith the last breath I draw I will help rid this America of the scum infested in its government" the butler, Anthony Senecal, wrote, adding, "count me in" if that means dragging Obama from the "white mosque" and hanging him "from the portico."

In a statement Thursday, the Secret Service said they are "aware of this matter and will conduct the appropriate investigation.'

While a recent profile of Senecal in The New York Times stated that Trump begged Senecal to stay on at his Mar-a-Lago resort as a historian after the 84-year-old tried to retire, Trump's spokeswoman said Thursday that "Tony Senecal has not worked at Mar-a-Lago for years."

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"We totally and completely disavow the horrible statements made by him," campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said.

Trump has faced other awkward situations this week including former Klu Klux Klan leader David Duke offering himself up as a potential running mate and a white nationalist accidentally being included on Trump's list of California delegates.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.