Hacker exploits Elmo's account to spread antisemitic messages
- Elmo's X account was hacked, leading to the posting of antisemitic messages.
- The Sesame Workshop confirmed that the account was compromised and is working to restore it.
- This incident highlights ongoing concerns over hate speech and cybersecurity on social media.
On Sunday, July 12, 2025, the official X account of Elmo, the beloved character from the children's show Sesame Street, was hacked, resulting in the dissemination of a series of antisemitic messages and profane language. This incident has heightened concerns regarding the safety of social media platforms and the potential for hate speech to proliferate in online spaces. The Sesame Workshop, which oversees the franchise, quickly responded to the breach, confirming that the account was compromised by an unknown hacker who posted abusive and hateful content. The organization expressed its commitment to restoring the account and ensuring that such actions do not recur, reflecting the ongoing battle against online hate. Subsequently, the hateful posts were deleted, but not before they garnered widespread attention and sparked outrage from various communities, illustrating the far-reaching impacts of cyberattacks on public figures, especially those associated with children's programming. The event also came amid a backdrop of rising antisemitic sentiments in the United States, exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical tensions and incidents of violence against Jewish communities. This atmosphere has been troubling, prompting viewers and advocates alike to call for stricter regulations on social platforms to combat hate speech effectively. Many prominent individuals, including lawmakers, voiced their dismay over the incident and urged better protections against such attacks, underscoring the vulnerability of even the most innocent public figures in today’s digital landscape.