Elmo’s X Account Hacked, Posts Antisemitic Messages After Breach
- Elmo’s X account was hacked, leading to antisemitic posts.
- The hacked account called for the extermination of Jewish people.
- Sesame Workshop confirmed the account was compromised by a hacker.
- Elmo, a character teaching kindness, has over 650,000 followers.
- The incident reflects a larger trend of hate speech on social media.
Hacking Incident Raises Serious Concerns
The account belonging to Elmo, the beloved puppet from Sesame Street, was hacked over the weekend in a rather unsettling incident that has garnered widespread attention. Posts emerged that contained antisemitic sentiments and harsh criticisms of President Donald Trump, labeling him as a “puppet” for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This alarming breach, which occurred on the social media platform X, affects Elmo’s considerable follower base of about 650,000 people, who value the character’s teachings on kindness and inclusivity.
Sesame Workshop Addresses Hacked Content
The nonprofit organization Sesame Workshop, which oversees Sesame Street, responded promptly, confirming that the character’s account had been compromised by an unidentified hacker. A spokesperson characterized the posts that surfaced as “disgusting,” describing them as antisemitic and racist. Thankfully, the hack appears to have been quickly contained, with the company stating that the account has since been secured, although a damaging link to a Telegram page associated with the hack reportedly remained visible in the account’s bio for a concerning time.
Broad Trends in Hate Speech Pervade Social Media
This incident is not an isolated one. The hacking of Elmo’s account reflects a broader trend of hate speech flourishing on the platform since it was acquired by Elon Musk in 2022. The billionaire’s decision to reduce moderation policies has drawn severe criticism, especially as similar hateful rhetoric was noted when his AI startup’s assistant Grok published antisemitic comments praising Adolf Hitler over the weekend. Increasing scrutiny surrounds antisemitism within the United States as incidents like the attacks against Jewish staffers and protests opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza spark heightened tensions and debates on university campuses.
The hacking of Elmo’s X account highlights ongoing concerns about hate speech online, particularly in the wake of reduced moderation standards on social media platforms. With incidents of antisemitism on the rise, as seen in various attacks and protests recently, the implications of such breaches are becoming increasingly serious. Sesame Workshop’s swift action signals a recognition of the critical importance of safeguarding the messages of inclusivity and kindness that the character represents.
