Who is ‘Robert'? Iran-linked hackers threaten to leak emails stolen from Trump aides, ex-porn star Stormy Daniels
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency took to X to describe the threats, which were first reported by Reuters, as a 'calculated smear campaign'. This comes as the Trump administration issued a report, warning that 'Iranian Cyber Actors' might target American companies and 'operators of critical infrastructure.'
Three days back, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, asserted that US and Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities did not seriously harm the country's nuclear facilities, prompting Trump to announce he was stopping plans to possibly reduce sanctions on Iran. Who is Robert and what we know about Iran-linked hackers group
In online chats on Sunday and Monday, hackers using the alias 'Robert' informed Reuters they had approximately 100 gigabytes of emails featuring Wiles, Stone, ex-porn star Stormy Daniels, Trump attorney Lindsey Halligan, and others.
While they did not reveal the specifics of the content, they mentioned the possibility of selling the emails.
In an indictment filed last September against three Iranians in the case of the 2024 Trump cyberattack, the Justice Department claimed that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps manage the hacking campaign 'Robert'.
Also Read: Who is Dany De Andrade? World's hottest cop from Florida goes viral as she issues stern warning ahead of Fourth of July Here's what Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said
Meanwhile, CISA spokesperson Marci McCarthy reacted to Reuters report, stating that a "hostile foreign adversary" was 'threatening to illegally exploit purportedly stolen and unverified material in an effort to distract, discredit and divide.'
According to McCarthy, the 'so-called cyber 'attack' is nothing more than digital propaganda and the targets are no coincidence' and its goal is to 'damage President Trump and discredit honorable public servants' who have distinguished themselves in the US.
'These criminals will be found and will be brought to justice,' he added.
Meanwhile, US Attorney General Pam Bondi denounced the hacking as 'an unconscionable cyber-attack'.
FBI Director Kash Patel said that anyone linked to any breach of national security would be thoroughly examined and executed to the greatest extent of the law, according to the White House and FBI. Is Iran a bigger threat than Russia to US?
Iran emerged as a bigger threat during the 2024 presidential campaign than Russia, which is well-known for its potent propaganda operations and 2016 cyberattacks of significant US political parties, according to Sam Sabin of Axios.
Microsoft discovered a number of Iranian entities that operated vigorous phishing and disinformation activities aimed at influencing the results of the 2024 US presidential election.
Before the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which ended with a ceasefire mediated by Trump following the U.S. military intervention, the hackers told Reuters they had no plans to launch any additional cyberattacks.
'I am retired, man,' the hackers claimed in May.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
9 minutes ago
- First Post
'Illegal migrant': Can US strip Mamdani's citizenship as Trump, Republicans ramp up attack?
The Trump administration is considering stripping Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, of his US citizenship over accusations that he concealed ties to 'terrorism' during his naturalization process, as the President and Republicans ramp up their attacks. read more The Trump administration has suggested it might strip Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, of his US citizenship as part of a crackdown on foreign-born citizens accused of certain crimes, according to a report from The Guardian. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president is considering an investigation after Republican Congressman Andy Ogles called for Mamdani's citizenship to be revoked. Ogles claims Mamdani may have hidden his support for 'terrorism' during his naturalization process. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mamdani, 33, was born in Uganda to Indian parents and became a US citizen in 2018. He has drawn national attention—and controversy—for his outspoken support for Palestinian rights. Trump threatens arrest Asked about Mamdani's call to stop undercover ICE agents from deporting immigrants, President Trump said on Tuesday, 'Well, then, we'll have to arrest him,' according to Axios. In response, Mamdani posted on social media, 'The President of the United States just threatened to have me arrested, stripped of my citizenship, put in a detention camp and deported. Not because I have broken any law but because I refuse to let ICE terrorize our city.' He added that Trump's threats are an attack on democracy and an attempt to silence those who speak out. My statement on Donald Trump's threat to deport me and his praise for Eric Adams, who the President "helped out" of legal accountability. — Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) July 1, 2025 Islamophobic attacks and political backdrop Mamdani has also faced Islamophobic attacks since winning last week's New York mayoral primary, defeating figures including former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The controversy comes as the Trump administration has directed government lawyers to prioritize efforts to denaturalize foreign-born citizens who committed certain crimes or lied during their citizenship process. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ogles urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Mamdani, accusing him of possibly gaining citizenship through false statements or concealing support for terrorism. As evidence, he cited a rap song by Mamdani praising members of a group convicted of funding Hamas, as well as Mamdani's refusal to condemn the phrase 'globalize the intifada.' Ogles also posted on social media, calling Mamdani 'an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York,' and saying he 'needs to be deported.' When asked about Ogles's claims, Leavitt said, 'I have not seen those claims, but surely if they are true, it's something that should be investigated.' The Justice Department confirmed it received Ogles's letter but declined further comment. Democrats push back Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, condemned the push to denaturalize Mamdani, calling it 'racist bullshit.' 'Trump will stop at nothing to protect billionaires and price gouging corporations, even racist bullshit like this,' Murphy wrote. 'Zohran won because he ran a campaign focused on putting power back in the hands of working people. And that's a threat to the Mar-a-Lago crowd.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mamdani, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, has faced intense scrutiny of his social media posts and activism since his primary victory, where he promised left-leaning policies for New York City if elected. Trump's continued criticism Amid criticism from conservatives, Trump has labeled him 'a pure communist' and threatened to cut federal funds to New York if Mamdani becomes mayor and 'doesn't behave himself.' At a press event in Florida, Trump repeated his 'communist' accusation and hinted Mamdani might have obtained citizenship illegally. 'We don't need a communist in this country, but if we have one, I'm going to be watching over him very carefully,' Trump said. 'A lot of people are saying he's here illegally. We're going to look at everything.' Praise for Eric Adams Trump also praised current New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for reelection as an independent after leaving the Democratic Party. Trump said Adams was 'a good person' and hinted he'd helped him, possibly referring to the Justice Department dropping a corruption case against Adams earlier this year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In his post, Mamdani said it was unsurprising that Trump praised Adams while threatening him.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
11 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Trump rules out delay to July 9 tariff deadline, renews warning to Japan
By Jennifer A. Dlouhy and Akayla Gardner President Donald Trump said he is not considering delaying his July 9 deadline for higher tariffs to resume and renewed his threat to cut off talks and impose duty rates on several nations, including Japan. 'No, I'm not thinking about the pause,' Trump said Tuesday when asked whether he would extend the negotiating period with trading partners. 'I'll be writing letters to a lot of countries.' A Bloomberg gauge of the dollar changed little after Trump's remarks, while the yen held onto gains versus the US currency, outperforming all of its Group-of-10 peers. Investors are closely watching how the president decides to handle the current pause on his April tariffs, which he put on hold for 90 days to allow time for talks. Trump for weeks has sought to exert leverage over trading partners with threats to set high levies on governments he sees as being difficult. His top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, a day earlier signaled agreements would be announced after the July 4 holiday and the signing of the tax and spending bill the US Senate approved. Since the president put his country-by-country tariffs on hold, he and his team have repeatedly promised a flood of agreements that would rebalance trading relationships that he has long decried as unfair. But the only two such pacts thus far have been broad frameworks with the UK and China, which left several key issues unresolved and many specifics to be negotiated later. The president on Tuesday deepened his criticism of Tokyo for not accepting US rice exports. He also said that auto trade between the two nations is imbalanced. Japan should be forced to 'pay 30 per cent, 35 per cent or whatever the number is that we determine, because we also have a very big trade deficit with Japan,' Trump said. Trump proposed a 24 per cent tariff on Japanese goods in April. Those have been subject to a 10 per cent charge during the negotiating period. 'I'm not sure we're going to make a deal. I doubt it with Japan, they're very tough. You have to understand, they're very spoiled,' Trump said. The president sounded more optimistic about reaching a deal with India. When asked about the prospects for an agreement over the next week, Trump said: 'possibly. That's going to be a different kind of a deal.' 'It's going to be a deal where we're able to go in and compete. Right now, India doesn't accept anybody in,' he said. 'I think India is going to do that, and if they do that, we're going to have a deal for much less tariffs.' India's foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said this week his country is close to finalizing an agreement with the US, as they work through thorny issues including coming industry-specific tariffs and market access for genetically modified crops from America. Talks have intensified, with India's chief negotiator Rajesh Agarwal extending his stay in the US to iron out disagreements. Other negotiations have proved even more difficult — and Trump has been keen this week to make an example out of Japan. That could be seen as a warning to other countries to get in line or face prohibitive tariffs. Yet the president also showed his penchant for quick reversals last week with Canada, initially cutting off talks but then restarting them days later after Ottawa scrapped a digital-services tax. Japan's efforts under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to maintain a steady, friendly approach to negotiations have been put to the test by Trump's efforts to ramp up pressure for deals. Tokyo has pushed for relief for its crucial auto sector, as well as other tariff exceptions, but the deliberate approach risks backfiring as Trump looks for quick wins on trade. 'I love Japan. I really like the new prime minister,' Trump told reporters. 'But they and others are so spoiled from having ripped us off for 30, 40, years that it's really hard for them to make a deal.'
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
11 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Trump calls 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' a win for Americans after Senate nod
After the US Senate passed the bill with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie, Trump urged lawmakers to present it to his desk before Independence Day New Delhi US President Donald Trump has called the passage of the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' a 'major policy win', declaring that the biggest beneficiary would be the American people. Posting on Truth Social after the US Senate cleared the bill in a 51–50 vote—with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote—Trump wrote: 'Almost all of our Great Republicans in the United States Senate have passed our 'ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL'. It is no longer a 'House Bill' or a 'Senate Bill'. It is everyone's Bill. There is so much to be proud of, and EVERYONE got a major Policy WIN — But, the Biggest Winner of them all will be the American People, who will have Permanently Lower Taxes, Higher Wages and Take Home Pay, Secure Borders, and a Stronger and More Powerful Military (sic).' Trump defends social programmes in bill Trump further added that the bill strengthens rather than cuts core social programmes. 'Additionally, Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security Benefits are not being cut, but are being STRENGTHENED and PROTECTED from the Radical and Destructive Democrats by eliminating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse from those Programs (sic),' he said. House vote awaited ahead of July 4 The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives, where it faces a tougher path. Trump urged lawmakers to present the bill to his desk before the US Independence Day on July 4. In his post, Trump claimed the bill would usher in a new economic era. 'The country is going to explode with massive growth,' he said. 'Even more than it already has since I was re-elected.' He added that the bill would put the US on a fiscal path by 'greatly reducing the federal deficit, and setting the country on a course for enormous prosperity in the new and wonderful Golden Age of America.' Senate vote follows intense negotiations The Senate passed the bill after days of negotiations, culminating in a 27-hour marathon of amendment votes aimed at winning over dissenting Republicans. Despite its Senate clearance, the bill faces opposition in the House, where at least six Republican lawmakers have voiced concerns over proposed Medicaid cuts and changes to clean energy incentives.
