Firm managing Trump social media accounts sues co-founder alleging $5 million embezzlement

X Strategies, a firm managing Donald Trump's prominent social media accounts, has filed a federal lawsuit in Florida accusing co-founder Derek Utley of embezzling at least $5 million. The lawsuit alleges Utley used company funds to finance a lavish lifestyle and cover $3 million in net gambling losses from slot machines in 2025. The alleged scheme was uncovered by the firm's new president, Michael Seifert. Utley disputes the allegations, and his former girlfriend, named as a co-defendant, denies any wrongdoing.

The Lawsuit and Allegations

• ▪The X Strategies lawsuit names Derek Utley's former girlfriend, Anna Weisheimer, as a co-defendant, alleging she helped launder the embezzled funds.
• ▪Anna Weisheimer denied the laundering allegations, stating she briefly dated Derek Utley and asked him to buy a Pilates studio, which he ultimately did not do.
• ▪Derek Utley disputed the embezzlement allegations, stating he would address them through the legal process and declining further comment.
• ▪X Strategies filed a lawsuit on September 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach, Florida, accusing co-founder Derek Utley of embezzling at least $5 million.

Company Background and Resignation

• ▪X Strategies fired Derek Utley after he allegedly falsified medical records to seek a six-month paid leave of absence following a purported car crash.
• ▪Alex Bruesewitz and Derek Utley co-founded X Strategies in 2017 when Alex Bruesewitz was 19 and Derek Utley was 32.
• ▪X Strategies maintains the Trump War Room and Team Trump accounts on X, and assists in managing Donald Trump's presence on TikTok.
• ▪Derek Utley voluntarily resigned his executive positions at X Strategies on April 3, 2026, and surrendered his 50 percent interest in the company.

Alleged Personal Spending

• ▪The X Strategies lawsuit alleges Derek Utley used embezzled funds to purchase luxury sports cars, designer clothing, jewelry, rent opulent condominiums, and travel first-class with an entourage.
• ▪The X Strategies lawsuit alleges Derek Utley used company funds to make personal investments and purchase a Miami fitness studio through a company controlled by him and his then-girlfriend.

Discovery of the Embezzlement

• ▪The alleged embezzlement was uncovered after X Strategies hired Michael Seifert as president, who noticed the company had millions of dollars less cash on hand than its reported revenues suggested.
• ▪A third party alerted X Strategies that Derek Utley had called from a Las Vegas casino while highly intoxicated, pleading for an urgent wire transfer to cover payroll.

Gambling allegations

• ▪The X Strategies lawsuit alleges Derek Utley spent 200 days in 2025 gambling $29 million of company funds on slot machines at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in South Florida, resulting in a $3 million net loss.
• ▪The X Strategies lawsuit alleges that Derek Utley kept his gambling winnings while X Strategies absorbed his losses.

White House connection

• ▪The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the X Strategies lawsuit.
• ▪Derek Utley was seen outside the White House on September 21, 2026, according to a Getty photo caption.