WASHINGTON — U.S. authorities are currently investigating a suspected cyberattack on the social media platform X, which disrupted access for numerous users, though they have not yet identified the responsible party. A member of the Trump administration familiar with the investigation, who wished to remain anonymous due to their lack of authorization to discuss the issue publicly, referred to Monday’s incident as a cyberattack. They emphasized that the Republican administration takes cyber threats against American businesses very seriously, but admitted that no clear information has surfaced regarding the identity of the attackers.
These remarks follow a statement from Elon Musk, the billionaire proprietor of X and a key advisor to former President Donald Trump. During an appearance on the Fox Business Network’s “Kudlow” show, Musk disclosed that the hackers’ IP addresses appeared to originate from the Ukraine region, although he did not elaborate on what implications this might entail. Cybersecurity professionals were quick to caution, however, that an IP address alone does not definitively indicate the origin of the attack.
Musk acquired what was then known as Twitter in 2022 and serves as the CEO of Tesla while overseeing the Government Efficiency initiative, humorously dubbed DOGE, under Trump’s administration. Musk’s leadership has placed him at the forefront of efforts aimed at significantly reducing the federal government’s size through streamlining operations.
Tesla, Musk’s electric vehicle enterprise, faced a sharp 15% decline in stock value on Monday, marking its largest one-day loss since September 2020. Analysts suggest that Musk’s increasingly visible alignment with right-wing politics may not resonate well with Tesla’s typical customer base, which is often seen as affluent, environmentally-conscious individuals seeking to reduce carbon emissions by driving electric vehicles.
The company has also been subjected to protests and incidents of vandalism in the U.S. and internationally, stemming from Musk’s advocacy for major federal workforce reductions and budget cuts. In response, Trump stated on his social media platform that he plans to purchase a Tesla vehicle as a sign of “confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American.”
“Why should he be punished for putting his tremendous skills to work in order to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN???” Trump remarked, reinforcing his backing for Musk’s initiatives.
