Chinese government-linked hackers have reportedly targeted the phones of former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance as part of a broader espionage campaign aimed at high-level U.S. figures.
The breach, which infiltrated U.S. telecommunications systems, was discovered by U.S. intelligence officials who notified the Trump campaign. The hackers’ objectives remain unclear, as investigators work to determine what data, if any, was accessed.
The FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are leading the investigation, providing assistance to affected individuals. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about foreign interference in U.S. elections, particularly as the 2024 presidential race approaches.
The broader campaign also targets other officials, and U.S. authorities are working to mitigate further breaches as Chinese, Russian, and Iranian cyber activity intensifies.
The hacking attempt has further raised tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly regarding election security and infrastructure vulnerabilities.
