The official X account of the beloved children’s character Elmo was hacked on October 15, 2023, resulting in a series of offensive posts containing antisemitic messages and slurs. The unauthorized messages included derogatory statements about Jewish individuals, comments regarding former President Donald Trump, and bizarre references to the Epstein files.
One of the most alarming posts stated, “ALL JEWS SHOULD DIE,” while others labeled Trump as “Netanyahu’s puppet.” Further messages demanded, “RELEASE THE FILES @realDonaldTrump.” The account also shared an unusual image of Elmo wearing a tinfoil hat and spacesuit, alongside a promotion for cryptocurrency, saying, “Happy crypto all-time high day, everybody!”
A spokesperson for Sesame Street confirmed the breach, stating, “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.” The organization expressed its commitment to regaining control and addressing the situation promptly.
As news of the hack spread, reactions poured in on social media. Senator Mike Lee from Utah commented, “I’m forever scarred … by @elmo. Words I never expected to utter.” Talk show host Matt Rooney remarked, “So poor Elmo got hacked and said some objectively vile anti-Semitic things earlier today.” His comment highlighted the absurdity of the situation, juxtaposing Elmo’s playful persona with the gravity of the messages.
Some users found humor amid the chaos. Joel Berry, managing editor of the satirical publication The Babylon Bee, quipped about an imagined interview with Elmo following the incident. Similarly, columnist Dustin Grage suggested that Elmo could win a Democratic nomination for mayor in several liberal cities, including New York City, Minneapolis, and Portland.
Reports indicate that all offensive content was eventually deleted from Elmo’s account, along with any interactions linked to the posts. The incident raises significant concerns about online security, especially for high-profile accounts associated with children’s programming.
As digital platforms continue to grapple with cybersecurity issues, the hacking of Elmo’s account serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities that can impact even the most innocent and cherished figures in popular culture.
