Trump and Vance's Campaign Under Threat from China-Backed Cyber Attack

Reports indicate that Donald Trump and JD Vance may have been victims of a cyber attack linked to China, raising concerns over election security and espionage. The U.S. government is actively investigating the incident, enhancing scrutiny on foreign cyber threats.

U.S. authorities have confirmed that cybercriminals linked to China may have attempted to breach the phones or networks utilized by former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance, according to multiple sources that spoke with CBS News, an affiliate of BBC’s U.S. partner. The Trump-Vance campaign was reportedly alerted to the possibility that their communications were among the targets of a wider cyber operation. Reports also indicated that individuals associated with the Harris-Walz campaign faced similar targeting.

While the extent of any data compromise remains uncertain, both the Department of Justice and the FBI chose not to comment on whether the candidates were specifically targeted. In a joint statement by the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), U.S. agencies confirmed they were investigating unauthorized intrusions into commercial telecommunications networks by actors believed to be affiliated with the People's Republic of China.

The agencies noted that upon identifying the "malicious activity," they promptly notified the affected companies and provided technical support while cooperating to assist potential additional victims. The investigation remains active, with various U.S. entities focusing on efficiently addressing this threat and fortifying cyber defenses across telecommunications.

Authorities currently regard the breach as an act of espionage rather than an attempt to influence the campaign directly. Earlier this month, it was reported that U.S. telecommunications firms, including Verizon, were victims of a sophisticated hacking effort. Verizon spokesperson Rich Young confirmed that the company is collaborating with law enforcement in responding to this incident.

The Trump campaign itself faced another hack earlier this year when three Iranian nationals affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were charged in connection with attempts to compromise the presidential campaign. U.S. officials have consistently emphasized the persistent threat of foreign interference in elections, with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan highlighting the intention of adversaries to undermine democratic processes.

During a congressional discussion in January, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that Chinese hackers were poised to cause significant disruption and damage within the U.S.