Key Points:
- Hackers took over Elmo’s X account, posting antisemitic threats and racist messages.
- Sesame Workshop quickly moved to regain control, deleting the offensive content.
- The incident highlights ongoing security issues for high-profile X accounts under Elon Musk’s ownership.
Hackers Hijack Beloved Character’s Platform
Elmo’s X account, known for sharing messages of kindness and mental health encouragement, was hijacked over the weekend and used to post antisemitic threats, racist slurs, and profane remarks tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind Sesame Street, confirmed on Monday that Elmo’s account, which has 650,000 followers, was “compromised by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages.” The organization said it worked swiftly to delete the offensive posts and restore control of the account.
Instead of Elmo’s usual cheerful updates, followers were confronted with calls for violence against Jewish communities and demands for the U.S. government to release files related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The posts also included a profane insult directed at President Donald Trump.
A link to a Telegram channel claiming responsibility for the hack briefly remained on Elmo’s X profile before being removed. As of Monday, Sesame Workshop confirmed the account was secured, although the identity of the hacker remains unknown.
Spotlight on X Security Under Musk
The breach of Elmo’s account highlights ongoing concerns about account security on X, the platform owned by Elon Musk since 2022. Under Musk’s leadership, X has reduced moderation staffing, leading to a rise in extremist and hateful content that has driven some advertisers away.
X has faced repeated incidents involving hacked high-profile accounts, including lawmakers, public organizations, and most recently Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Musk’s xAI, which also posted antisemitic messages before the posts were removed.
Elmo’s account, typically a bright spot on the platform, previously sparked widespread engagement last year when the fuzzy red monster, forever age three and a half, asked followers, “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” The post drew responses from public figures, including President Joe Biden and musician Chance the Rapper, cementing Elmo’s presence as a source of warmth and mental health support online.
The hack of such a trusted and child-friendly account underscores the platform’s vulnerability to breaches that can rapidly spread harmful content. X did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.
As Sesame Street and Sesame Workshop work to reassure followers and families that Elmo’s online space is safe again, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger security measures on social media platforms, particularly for accounts with influence over young audiences.