The Secret Service is investigating Donald Trump's butler
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
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."
Article continues belowThe Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
