Trayon White is DC’s Donald Trump

Cockburn is delighted to announce the special election winner replacing Trayon White (who was unanimously expelled from office in February) in his Ward 8 DC City Council seat: Trayon White. 

The Department of Justice charged White for bribery in August 2024, alleging that the councilman “corruptly agreed to accept $156,000 in cash payments in exchange for using his position” to “pressure government employees” in several offices to influence $5.2 million in violence intervention contracts.

These impending charges were not enough to deter White from seeking reelection last November, which he walked away from overwhelmingly victorious with 84 percent of the vote. During his swearing-in ceremony on January 2, White took the microphone and issued an apology without specifying exactly what he was apologizing for. “This morning I want to say that I apologize to my city, and I love my city to the core of who I am. I’m not a perfect man, but if you get to know me, you know that I’m a good man,” he said. 

Well, his renewed Ward 8 stewardship lasted only a month. On February 4, the city council voted unanimously to expel him, setting a special election to run mid-July. After spending a month and a half in shock, on March 30, he posted a series of photos of himself wearing a keffiyeh at an Eid al-Fitr celebration with the caption, “ReElection campaign starts tomorrow.” 

While he came away victorious yesterday, White faired far worse in the special election than he did in November, bringing in only 29 percent of the vote. The three other candidates took in a little over 20 percent each. Of the 86,000 people who live in Ward 8, fewer than 6,800 voted. 

As well as the racy neighborhoods of Anacostia and Capitol Heights across the river from most of DC, Ward 8 includes a significant amount of Navy Yard, home to many members of Congress and GOP Hill staffers. White was arrested by the Feds in 10 K Hill South, an affluent apartment building in neighboring Ward 6 (yes, also Navy Yard) where he was renting. The complex boasts a rooftop pool, hot tub, indoor basketball court and Equinox gym.

Perhaps this time around, Ward 8 voters were less interested in White’s self-described qualifications listed on his campaign website and more interested in his impending trial. Cockburn admits some of his feats deserve a moment in the spotlight, including his “athletic prowess by serving as a coach for the No. 11 little league football team for the Boys & Girls Club” and his formation of “Bold Brothas for Christ,” which he founded as an undergrad.

Little league football and college Christian groups may paint a mild portrait of the councilman and his values, but White has some rather controversial views of his own. During his first year as city councilman, White posted a video to Facebook asserting that the Rothschilds control the weather. After receiving some fiery backlash, White apologized and promised he’d study Jewish history.

Whether the councilman followed through on his history lessons is unclear, but it is evident White has been studying something else: AI. Well, studying may be a strong word, but he is definitely using it. To rally his troops to the ballot boxes, White posted a video to Instagram of a woman explaining how to vote and why it’s so important. Glitching and twitching awkwardly, the woman proclaimed with hands coded firmly in her pockets, “We have the power to shape the now, and it’s time we use it.”

White is not the first DC politician to run afoul of the law. Recall the scandalous leadership of White’s predecessor, Marion Barry. While serving as DC mayor, Barry was caught on camera in a sting operation with his ex-girlfriend, possessing crack cocaine. As FBI agents pulled him away, Barry infamously sputtered, “Bitch set me up.” 

Barry served his time and proceeded to serve as Ward 8’s council member for two decades, until he passed away in 2014. But as much as White may look up to the former council member, Barry’s widow Cora Masters Barry publicly discouraged White from running again. “We all know that Marion believed in second chances, in redemption and in doing the hard work to come back after a fall,” she said in a statement endorsing a different candidate. But if Barry were still alive, she said she believed her husband would encourage White to figure out his “personal and legal challenges” before pursuing his next run. 

Well, White doesn’t seem too bothered about his approaching trial (scheduled for January 2026). The councilman celebrated his victory with supporters at Ace’s Lounge in Southeast DC last night. Inside the lounge, White proclaimed his 29 percent victory “had sent a message loud and clear to the council that Trayon White is here to stay.” He added, “It’s a testament that if you fall down – because we’re all going to fall down – can you get back up? Because today Ward 8 stood up!”

Cockburn will be waiting to see how Ward 8 votes in another special election next January, if their city council member is hauled off to jail. If the “convicted felon” label didn’t turn voters off President Trump, perhaps Trayon could succeed Muriel Bowser as DC’s next mayor…