News/Commentary

‘Nice try FBI’: CNN reports Kash Patel is target of Iranian hackers, but no one believes it

December 4, 2024 | | Print Article

President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to run the FBI was reportedly informed by the agency that he was the target of hackers from Iran.

CNN cited “two sources” in its report that Kash Patel was the victim of Iranian hackers who “accessed at least some of Patel’s communications,” but the Tuesday report was met with eye-rolls and skepticism on social media.

While Trump transition spokesman Alex Pfeiffer did not specifically respond to the hacker claims, he reminded how Patel and an incoming Trump administration will handle the “terrorist Iranian regime.”

“Kash Patel was a key part of the first Trump administration’s efforts against the terrorist Iranian regime and will implement President Trump’s policies to protect America from adversaries as the FBI Director,” Pfeiffer said in a statement to CNN.

Patel served in the first Trump administration, working as chief of staff to acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller. He also served on Trump’s National Security Council and as a senior adviser to acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell.

Trump’s nomination of Patel sent leftists into a meltdown while many Trump supporters applauded the pick. Claims of the alleged cyberattack on Patel’s communications come after reports of other hacks by Iran and China. Iran has denied playing any part in alleged meddling in the November election.

“This comes after months of warnings from the FBI and other federal agencies of Iranian cyber activity targeting Trump campaign staff leading up to the 2024 presidential election,” CBS News reported. “In September, Justice Department prosecutors charged three members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps with launching a broad hacking campaign against U.S. officials, including those close to Trump.”

In August, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a joint statement noting “activities to compromise former President Trump’s campaign” which the intelligence community “attributes to Iran.”

The statement claimed that “Iranians have through social engineering and other efforts sought access to individuals with direct access to the presidential campaigns of both political parties. Such activity, including thefts and disclosures, are intended to influence the U.S. election process.”

The latest reports on alleged attacks on Patel were met with criticism by social media users who predicted the hack would likely lead to leaks of some sort intended to negatively impact Patel and his nomination.

Frieda Powers
Latest posts by Frieda Powers (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles