The FBI has launched an investigation into allegations of Chinese hacking after reports surfaced suggesting that the mobile phones of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, his running mate JD Vance, and individuals associated with Kamala Harris’ campaign may have been compromised. According to a report by The New York Times, Chinese hackers allegedly infiltrated the network of mobile phone provider Verizon, targeting phones linked to the political campaigns of both major parties in the ongoing U.S. presidential election.
The hacking attempt appears to have been part of a broader effort to gather intelligence through unauthorized access to telecommunications infrastructure. While the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a joint statement confirming an investigation into the breach, they did not publicly name the individuals targeted. However, Verizon acknowledged the attempt, describing it as a sophisticated effort aimed at U.S. telecom systems. Investigators are working to determine whether any communications were compromised.
The New York Times report revealed that the Donald Trump campaign was notified this week about the potential targeting of Donald Trump and JD Vance. While their phone numbers may have been compromised, the Republican campaign has yet to confirm whether the phones of the former president and his running mate were successfully breached. Similarly, The Associated Press confirmed that people working on Kamala Harris’ campaign were also targeted, but the Democratic campaign has not commented on the matter.
The incident has placed U.S. officials on high alert for foreign interference as the presidential race heads into its final stretch. Although China has generally maintained a neutral stance in the 2024 election, U.S. intelligence agencies believe Beijing is focusing on smaller, local elections and targeting candidates based on issues relevant to China, such as support for Taiwan.
Earlier this year, the Donald Trump campaign was hacked by Iranian actors. Three members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were charged by the U.S. Department of Justice for attempting to disrupt the November 5 election. The new allegations of Chinese involvement have further raised concerns about cybersecurity in the U.S. election process.
With foreign interference continuing to be a major concern, U.S. agencies, in collaboration with industry partners, are actively working to strengthen cyber defenses across the telecommunications sector. Investigations into the extent of the breach are ongoing.
