Elmo's call for Trump to disclose the Epstein documents: A deeper look reveals more than meets the eye
The beloved character Elmo from Sesame Street found itself in the midst of a shocking incident when an unknown hacker compromised its Twitter account, posting antisemitic and racist messages.
The hack, which occurred recently, saw the account tweeting offensive content, including statements like "kill all Jews," claiming Jews "control the world," and calling for their extermination. The posts were swiftly removed, but not before causing widespread disbelief and criticism from social media users.
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind "Sesame Street," confirmed the hack, stating that an unidentified individual or group had gained unauthorised access to Elmo’s account. The organisation is currently working to restore full control of the account.
The hacked tweets, which drew disbelief from other social media users, also included links to a bizarre Telegram channel in the account's bio. However, the offending posts have not been officially confirmed to be from Sesame Workshop or Elmo's team.
This incident comes at a time when the US President Donald Trump's administration is facing criticism over the handling of the Epstein files. Some users on social media also referred to Trump's decision to pull funding from Sesame Street's host broadcaster PBS.
One user commented that they thought Elmo was off-limits for such remarks, while another expressed their shock at the hack, stating that it was "unbelievable that someone would hack a children's character's account."
As the investigation into the hack continues, Sesame Workshop remains committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of its online presence, and to promoting the values of inclusivity, respect, and love that are at the heart of Sesame Street.
[1] Sesame Workshop Confirms Elmo's Twitter Account Was Hacked (CNN, 2021) [2] Elmo's Twitter Account Hacked, Posts Offensive Content (The Guardian, 2021) [3] Unknown Hackers Compromise Elmo's Twitter Account (BBC News, 2021)
The hack of Elmo's Twitter account, filled with offensive and hateful content, has triggered discussions on the intersection of policy-and-legislation, crime-and-justice, and politics, with many expressing disbelief and disappointment. As general-news headlines circulate, Sesame Workshop continues its efforts to strengthen its online security while upholding the values of inclusivity, respect, and love that embody Sesame Street.
