Donald Trump dragged into Elmo X account hack: Antisemitic posts spark outrage
Sesame Street
, was reportedly compromised on Sunday, triggering a wave of concern after the handle posted a string of antisemitic and offensive messages. The incident is being widely condemned as yet another instance of online platforms being exploited to spread hate.
The posts, now deleted, shocked users with their hateful language, including incitement to violence and deeply disturbing conspiracy theories targeting Jewish communities and political leaders. One message suggested the extermination of Jews, while another accused:
'U.S. President
Donald Trump
of being a puppet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu', as mentioned in a report by Rolling Stone.
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The posts were published to Elmo's X account, formerly Twitter, which has over 647,000 followers and is typically known for promoting messages of kindness, emotional literacy, and inclusion.
Sesame Workshop Confirms Breach, Issues Statement
The nonprofit behind
Sesame Street
, Sesame Workshop, issued a statement confirming the breach of the account. 'Elmo's X account was compromised today by an unknown hacker who posted disgusting messages, including antisemitic and racist posts. We are working to restore full control of the account,' said a spokesperson, mentioned in a report by Rollin Stone.
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By Monday morning, all offensive posts had been removed, and no new updates had appeared on the feed. X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, has yet to issue an official response, but platform observers noted the delay in moderation raised questions about the response time to hate speech when attached to verified or high-profile accounts.
Violent Rhetoric and Political Conspiracy Theories Surface
Among the now-deleted posts were calls for violence against Jews, explicit antisemitic remarks, and inflammatory accusations against Trump, including alleged connections to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The hacked account accused the U.S. President of being under Israeli influence due to supposed files implicating him in Epstein-related matters.
In one post, the hacker wrote: 'Elmo says all Jews should die,' followed by another that read, 'Trump is Netanyahu's puppet because he is in the Epstein files.' These messages, strikingly out of character for the beloved red puppet known for child-friendly language, ignited concern across political and social communities.
A Cultural Icon Caught in Digital Crossfire
Elmo, the furry red muppet who first appeared on
Sesame Street
in 1984, has long served as a comforting and joyful figure for children and families. His social media presence typically includes cheerful, wholesome posts about emotions, inclusivity, and child development.
The intrusion, therefore, represented a sharp contrast, jarring users who expressed disbelief and outrage. 'I never thought I'd wake up to antisemitism from Elmo's account,' one X user wrote. Another commented: 'This is what happens when hate is allowed to fester on platforms with minimal oversight.'
Online Hate Speech on the Rise
This incident comes amid broader concerns about the surge of hate speech on social media platforms. Since the ownership change at X in 2022, advocacy groups have flagged increasing levels of antisemitic content, with less robust moderation mechanisms reportedly contributing to the issue.
The Anti-Defamation League has previously reported a noticeable uptick in antisemitic rhetoric online, raising alarm over the normalization of such language through viral content and compromised accounts.
Additionally, just days before Elmo's account was breached, X's AI-powered chatbot Grok came under fire for publishing antisemitic messages, including praise for Adolf Hitler and comments mocking Holocaust victims. In that case, platform administrators swiftly pulled the content and restricted Grok's functionality.
The Broader Impact and Future of Elmo Online
Beyond the reputational damage, the hack has reopened conversations about how social platforms safeguard family-oriented or child-facing content. Elmo's account has been a go-to for positive engagement with young audiences, frequently encouraging kindness and empathy in a digital age where negativity can often dominate.
This breach has added fuel to existing concerns over how secure even institutional accounts are on widely-used platforms, especially when these handles represent public trust.
In an ironic twist, Elmo had recently become a subject of viral discussion following a faux LinkedIn post suggesting he had been laid off due to federal funding cuts. The humorous but pointed message read, 'Hi LinkedIn, unfortunately Elmo was recently laid off because of the federal budget cuts. Elmo worked at Sesame Street for 45 years. Elmo is sad.'
Streaming Future of Sesame Street Remains Unaffected
While the breach drew attention to Elmo's digital presence, it has no bearing on
Sesame Street
's upcoming programming. The series, which began in 1969, will soon migrate from HBO to Netflix under a new licensing agreement, with Season 56 set to stream episodes on the same day they air.
The decision to move comes after Warner Bros. Discovery's long-term partnership with Sesame Workshop nears its end. Netflix, it is believed, plans to expand
Sesame Street's
digital footprint while retaining its core mission of education and empathy.
FAQs
What happened to Elmo's official social media account?
Elmo's verified account on X (formerly Twitter) was hacked on Sunday, July 13, 2025. The account posted several offensive and antisemitic messages, which shocked and angered users.
How did Sesame Workshop respond to the breach?
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind
Sesame Street
, confirmed the breach and called the posts 'disgusting,' stating they were working to regain full control of the account.
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