Chinese Cyber Spies Allegedly Hacked Phones of Trump and Harris, Triggering National Security Probe

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris had their phones reportedly compromised by Chinese cyber operatives, leading to a critical investigation into a potential national security breach. This alarming situation was brought to light as investigators looked into how hackers managed to infiltrate Verizon’s systems, specifically targeting both the former President and the current Vice President, along with their close associates.

Sources suggest that the investigation is actively seeking to understand the full scope of the incident and identify any communications that may have been intercepted. While the Trump campaign was made aware of the breach, they have not confirmed the specific targeting of Trump or any of his staff members. Communications director Steven Cheung hinted at a possible rationale for the hack, asserting that actions by Vice President Harris could have provoked these foreign intrusions aimed at hampering Trump’s political aspirations.

This cyber attack raises echoes of the infamous hacks during the 2016 election, when Democratic Party figures faced similar breaches resulting in the unauthorized release of private emails tied to Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Those intrusions, attributed to Russian operatives, reverberated throughout the election process and prompted extensive investigations by federal authorities.

Adding to the concern, this incident follows earlier hacking attempts against Trump’s campaign, where members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps were charged with efforts to disrupt the electoral process. Politico first reported this latest breach after receiving documents related to Trump’s campaign from an anonymous source. According to Trump’s team, Iranian agents had previously employed spear phishing techniques targeting high-ranking campaign officials.

Cheung asserted that the documents obtained during this breach were acquired illegally from foreign entities and were designed to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election. Notably, a report from Microsoft revealed that Iranian hackers accessed an account belonging to a senior figure in Trump’s campaign during the critical period leading up to his announcement of a vice presidential nominee.

Among the documents purportedly obtained was a detailed vetting file for Trump’s chosen running mate, which included extensive records and assessments, as well as critiques of Trump himself. The hacker warned Politico not to inquire into their sources, asserting that such curiosity could have serious legal consequences.

Cheung, in response, emphasized that these foreign actors are aware that Trump intends to confront their aggressive operations, just as he did during his initial term in the White House. As of now, Vice President Harris has not publicly commented on the alleged hacking incident.

This unfolding situation underscores the serious vulnerabilities that high-profile political figures face in the digital age, and it raises critical questions about the implications of foreign cyber interference in American elections.