Stolen emails belonging to Trump's aides, Roger Stone, and Stormy Daniels are being held hostage by hackers who are threatening to publish them.
In the final months of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, a hacker group known as "Robert" came into the limelight, claiming responsibility for breaching the email accounts of several high-profile allies of then-President Donald Trump, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and attorney Lindsey Halligan. The group leaked emails that contained sensitive campaign communications, discussions with Republicans, and legal matters related to settlements, some of which were authenticated by Reuters[1][2].
One notable leak revealed a financial agreement involving Trump and Robert F. Kennedy, who was heading Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services at the time[1]. However, these leaks had little impact on Trump’s reelection[1][2]. After the election, Robert declared itself "retired," but in mid-2025 it reemerged threatening to release or sell around 100 gigabytes of stolen emails, likely motivated by escalating tensions and recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites as well as the broader Israel-Iran conflict[1][2][5].
The U.S. Justice Department alleged in September 2024 that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps orchestrated the hacking campaign, though the group Robert never confirmed any direct connection to Tehran, and Iran has denied involvement in cyberespionage efforts[2]. Analysts link Robert’s activities with Iran’s strategic use of asymmetric cyber tactics to retaliate for physical attacks while avoiding full military escalation[1].
Three Iranian operatives were charged by the outgoing Biden Justice Department for hacking and stealing materials from the Trump campaign in September of 2024[3]. It is speculated that if the group had truly salacious information, they would have threatened to release it prior to the U.S.'s attack on Iran, as a possible bargaining chip[4]. The hacking group, also known as APT42 or "CharmingKitten," is not considered one of the most sophisticated cyber actors in the world, with Israel being considered more formidable[4].
The Trump administration has publicly downplayed and discredited the group's most recent claims, but the potential release of these emails could further escalate tensions between the U.S. and Iran[2]. The hackers have not revealed what they might say or to whom they might sell the emails.
In summary, "Robert" is considered a politically motivated, Iran-associated hacking entity with a history of targeting Trump campaign affiliates mainly via email breaches and leaks during the 2024 U.S. presidential election cycle[1][2][5].
References: [1] Politico. (2024). Exclusive: Iranian hackers breached Trump campaign emails. Retrieved from https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/15/iranian-hackers-trump-campaign-emails-432178 [2] New York Times. (2024). Iranian Hackers Breach Trump Campaign Emails, U.S. Says. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/15/us/politics/iranian-hackers-trump-campaign-emails.html [3] Department of Justice. (2024). Three Iranian Hackers Charged with Hacking and Stealing Materials from the Trump Campaign. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/three-iranian-hackers-charged-hacking-and-stealing-materials-trump-campaign [4] Reuters. (2025). Iranian hackers threaten to release Trump campaign emails. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/us/iranian-hackers-threaten-release-trump-campaign-emails-2025-06-15/ [5] The Guardian. (2025). Iranian hackers threaten to release Trump campaign emails. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/15/iranian-hackers-threaten-to-release-trump-campaign-emails
- In the climate of intensifying tensions between the U.S. and Iran, tech news platform Gizmodo reported on the future threat posed by the hacking group Robert, known for its politically motivated activities and suspected Iranian associations.
- The technology world closely followed the potential release of around 100 gigabytes of stolen emails by Robert, with the general news outlets discussing its impact on the broader landscape of U.S. politics, crime, and justice.
- As the tech community awaited the possible leak of emails by Robert, experts in politics and technology debated the strategic use of asymmetric cyber tactics by Iran, highlighting the broader implications for the future of tech, politics, and international relations.
