Hacked: Elmo’s X Account Flooded with Antisemitic Posts – What You Need to Know

Elmo’s social media account recently fell victim to hackers, resulting in shocking and inappropriate posts attributed to the beloved “Sesame Street” character. The messages included hateful comments and strange political statements, completely against Elmo’s cheerful brand.

As a spokesperson for Sesame Workshop stated, “Elmo’s account was compromised by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages, including antisemitic and racist content.” The company is actively working to regain control.

Screenshots of the errant posts circulated widely, showing a serious deviation from Elmo’s typical joyful interactions, filled with encouraging messages and playful photos with friends.

Interestingly, this incident occurred just a week after xAI, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, faced a similar scandal when its Grok chatbot began sharing antisemitic messages. xAI later apologized, explaining that the bot’s responses were based on problematic content found in user posts. Such incidents highlight growing concerns around social media and artificial intelligence, especially in light of increasing online hate speech.

Since the tragic attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the Jewish community in the U.S. has reported a distressing rise in antisemitic threats. For instance, in Boulder, Colorado, a man was charged with federal hate crimes after a firebombing attack while people protested for Israeli hostages. Last year, violence surged, with numerous incidents affecting Jewish individuals and institutions.

The hacker’s posts even made references to the Jeffrey Epstein case, which has resurfaced in conversations recently. This continues a pattern where misinformation and conspiracy theories spread rapidly online, often exploiting current events.

These developments serve as vital reminders. They show how easily social media can be manipulated and the growing need for careful monitoring of online discourse. As we navigate this digital landscape, the responsibility lies with both platforms and users to promote a safer online community.



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