Cyber Attack Targets Trump and Vance Linked to China

According to reports, the Trump-Vance campaign has been made aware of phones used by both figures being targeted, amidst concerns for broader political ramifications and national security.

US law enforcement agencies are probing a suspected cyber attack that may have targeted the communications of former President Donald Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance. Sources close to the investigation revealed to CBS News that their campaign was warned about the potential breach of their phone networks, believed to involve cybercriminals connected to the Chinese government.

Both major political party officials are reportedly among those targeted, although it remains uncertain what specific data, if any, may have been infiltrated. The FBI and the Department of Justice have withheld comments regarding the extent of any compromise involving the candidates.

In a joint statement, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) confirmed that they are investigating unauthorized access to telecommunications infrastructure potentially linked to Beijing. They noted that they swiftly alerted affected companies after identifying the cyber threats, rendered technical support, and disseminated vital information to help other potential victims.

The Trump campaign responded by blaming Democrats for the alleged hack, positing without evidence that this intrusion was aimed at hindering Trump’s potential return to the presidency. The Wall Street Journal has also reported that associates of the Harris-Walz campaign faced similar cyber threats.

Authorities are currently treating the ordeal as espionage rather than an influence attempt on the political campaign, shedding light on the serious implications of cybersecurity in the political arena leading up to the next US elections.