Councilman Known for Antisemitic Conspiracy Theories Charged With Bribery

A Washington D.C. councilmember known for sharing antiseptic conspiracy theories on social media was charged this week in an alleged bribery scheme worth over $150,000.
On Monday, the Associated Press (AP) obtained unsealed court documents which showed that Trayon White Sr., a Democratic councilmember, was arrested on federal bribery charges for accepting payments in return D.C. employees extending certain contracts in the city.
Court documents show that White, who previously ran an unsuccessful campaign for Washington D.C. mayor in 2022, was arrested on Sunday and appeared in court on Monday for the charges.
In June, White allegedly agreed to accept approximately $156,000 in kickbacks and cash payments in exchange for pressuring government employees to extend contracts for two companies valued at over $5 million, according to allegations outlined in an FBI affidavit.
The FBI also alleged that White, 40, accepted a bribe worth $20,000 to pressure high-ranking officials to fix a contract dispute from one of the companies involved.
An FBI informant, who has agreed to plead guilty to fraud and bribery charges, told investigators they provided White with gifts—including trips to the Dominican Republic and Las Vegas—along with paying him bribes, according to the FBI.
Upon entering the courtroom on Monday, White placed his hand on his heart to acknowledge his supporters who came to the hearing. One of those in attendance was seen crying while located in the gallery of the hearing, according to reports.
Despite not speaking on the allegations made against him, White answered other questions from the judge overseeing the hearing. White was released from custody shortly after the hearing, but the judge issued a warning of possible jail time if his release conditions were violated.
White’s attorney declined to make any further comments on the allegations, the AP reported.
In 2018, White shared a video on Facebook where he commented on the weather and snowfall saying that “the Rothschilds controlling the climate to create natural disasters.” The Rothschilds, a Jewish family, have frequently faced conspiracy theories after becoming a popular name in the banking world.
White initially claimed he was unaware that the weather-related conspiracy theory he mentioned had antisemitic origins. However, a video later surfaced showing White promoting a similar theory during a meeting with senior city officials. In the video, he raised a question based on the stereotype that the Rothschild family controls the World Bank and the federal government.
In 2022, White lost in the Washington D.C. gubernatorial Democratic primary to Mayor Muriel Bowser. The AP reported that White had been seen as a protege to former Mayor Marion Barry. White currently represents the same district that Barry represented.