Chinese hackers reportedly targeted the cell phones of former President Donald Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, as disclosed by sources familiar with the matter who spoke to *The New York Times* under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. This breach, which accessed Verizon’s network, impacted various individuals within and outside the government.
Investigators are working to understand the extent of the data compromised. Even if content from messages or calls wasn’t accessed, the hackers could still derive strategic insights by identifying the people connected to Trump and Vance, potentially helping China target individuals in their inner circles for influence campaigns. Security analysts suggest that a China-associated group, known as Salt Typhoon, was behind the intrusion into U.S. telecommunications, but it was only recently discovered that specific numbers were targeted.
The hackers’ capabilities to record calls or view messages remain uncertain, hinging on the specific applications used by the targets and how these apps transfer data. Notably, this breach appears to involve individuals beyond those in the 2024 presidential race, implying broader national security risks.
Meanwhile, Iranian hackers have also reportedly targeted Trump’s campaign during the 2024 election cycle, with additional security measures implemented following threats to Trump’s life from Iran.
Trump campaign’s communications director, Stephen Cheung, criticized the alleged lack of action by the current administration, stating, “This is the continuation of election interference by Kamala Harris and Democrats who will stop at nothing, including emboldening China and Iran attacking critical American infrastructure, to prevent President Trump from returning to the White House.” He continued, emphasizing that “President Trump will actually stand up against our enemies and defend the United States from any and all aggression.”
