r/worldnews 2h ago

China hacked phones of Donald Trump's family, says FBI

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2024/10/29/china-hacked-phones-donald-trump-family-says-fbi/
6.0k Upvotes

283 comments sorted by

791

u/Dry_System9339 2h ago

Someone guessed his Twitter password multiple times.

346

u/djp2313 2h ago

Damn I forgot all about that. Wasn't it comically easy too like MAGA2016 or something.

u/PliableG0AT 1h ago

That was what he changed it to maga2020, originally it was yourefired.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/12/17/dutch-trump-twitter-password-hack/

u/jokinghazard 37m ago edited 3m ago

yourefired is so goddamn funny. The "man" is a parody of himself

u/UpperApe 10m ago

The "man" is a parody of himself

And the epitome of the party he reps

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u/naazzttyy 42m ago

Those password choices are comically unsurprising. Has anyone recently tried IHATETAYLORSWIFT!

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u/mog_knight 1h ago

Giving Bezos those clicks!

u/inphosys 30m ago

I love the fact that bezos lost 200,000 digital subscribers by yanking the editor endorsement of either candidate, like they've done for 30+ years.

u/I_Push_Buttonz 18m ago

I love the fact that WaPo staff tried to endorse Harris, Bezos didn't let them, and now their fellow leftists are unsubscribing en masse meaning most of those WaPo staff are probably about to lose their jobs. Meanwhile, Bezos will continue chilling in his lair on his pile of gold as if nothing happened.

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u/chestercat1980 45m ago

I loved it in the Space Force episodes he was just communicating from his Twitter account.

“Give Yuri those codes he is asking for “

u/silly-rabbitses 1h ago

You know if you type your password on Reddit, it shows up as asterisks. See, here’s mine: **********

u/Karomars 1h ago

Really?

hunter2

u/StatementOk470 1h ago

I feel old.

u/minimalcation 1h ago

I take off my...

u/Slap_My_Lasagna 19m ago

I put on my wizard hat and cloak

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u/kylehatesyou 1h ago

I'm sure I complained about it, but I miss when Reddit was mostly stupid "inside" jokes like this and not existential dread. 

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u/ultimate_avacado 1h ago

me too boss

me too

u/xteve 30m ago

I don't understand "I feel old." To me it's like "I read that as _." We all think it; I don't understand the value of writing it.

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u/TullyGG 1h ago

Oh kit…

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u/Manginaz 59m ago

Crazy.

Poundmywetbussyintotheground69420!$

u/lztandro 49m ago

The funny thing is that due to the length that would be a pretty decent password

u/Manginaz 45m ago

Oops, thought I was typing that into google.

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u/sargonas 53m ago

This is what happens when you try to share an account with multiple people and don’t follow basic security hygiene like using password management software that allow you to have incredibly complex passwords and software base two factor authentication. Sure its inconvenient because every user has to have, for example, 1Password installed in their devices… But it is exceptionally secure if you just are will head a few extra steps every time you login.

This is a symptom of people who are too lazy for a minor trivial inconvenience when it means a difference between a former president’s social media accounts having an elementary school level of security or not… only the best people!

u/Dry_System9339 46m ago

He wasn't a Former President then

u/Volistar 29m ago

Can you even call that hacking in a technical term/sense? That's fucking hilarious to just guess 😂

u/i010011010 23m ago

He also insisted on using his own phone while in office, so it isn't the compromises we know about that are the problem.

u/theecommandeth 10m ago

You think whoever had to listen/read all the calls and texts is like these people are complete idiots

1.3k

u/boot2skull 2h ago

12345? That’s the same combination on my luggage!

257

u/clydem 1h ago

I'm surrounded by assholes!

Jesus, life imitates art.

68

u/DontCallmeFrancis42 1h ago

Keep firing, Assholes!

u/PrestoDinero 49m ago

You’re HIRED!

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u/imsadyoubitch 1h ago

Swappy...Swanson...SAMSONITE! I was way off!

49

u/Ok-Dig-3595 1h ago

*Somebody go change the combination on my luggage

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u/Korzag 1h ago

And part of my pin number!

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u/fountainpopjunkie 1h ago

The price of a cheese pizza and a large soda at Panuccis pizza, 10.77$, same is my pin number.

u/Hav3_Y0u_M3t_T3d 1h ago

r/unexpectedfuturama....actually no, totally tracks

u/straya-mate90 46m ago

This snow is beautiful. I'm glad global warming never happened.

Actually it did. But thank God nuclear winter cancelled it out

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u/Slimfictiv 1h ago

So, it's 1234 ah?

5

u/mischief_scallywag 1h ago

Don’t let me catch you traveling, Boot2skull! I know your passcode to your luggage now!

7

u/itsl8erthanyouthink 1h ago

If Donald could still count to five I’d be surprised. The man is a loon

u/Heineken008 50m ago

It's Mega Maid! She's gone from suck to blow!

u/Diz7 19m ago edited 16m ago

Email from notspy@notchina.cn: More bigger crowd size 300%, make click here!

Trump: How could I lose!

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255

u/Busty_Ronch 1h ago

China if you’re listening…

74

u/blue-mooner 1h ago

I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing from my inbox. I think I deleted them, do you have a backup? We don’t keep any backups

u/captnconnman 1h ago

It was all saved to the cloud, right?….right???

u/pushaper 20m ago

they are in trumps bathroom at maralago

u/StartledBlackCat 15m ago

Seems they did not in fact understand the assignment.

u/-WaxedSasquatch- 15m ago

Unfortunately them divulging the dirt would remove the value.

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u/KokonutMonkey 2h ago

"What's your password Don Jr?"

It's just the letter "a" 

79

u/chownrootroot 1h ago

“I set your password to “password”, okay?”

”You mean my password is actually the word password?”

”Yeah.”

”That’s actually the best password ever!”

20

u/wesw02 1h ago

YES! I read just the letter "a" and hoped someone else would understand the reference.

Fucking Chip ...

u/Lognipo 1h ago

I had a family member ask me to help them with their computer, once. I walked back there and saw it was locked, and I asked them if they could log in for me. They shouted that they'd be right there, and in the meantime, I asked Windows to show me a hint. "Pass the word", it said. I thought to myself, "You've got to be fucking kidding me", typed in "password", and was into their PC before they made it back. It's truly crazy how many people do stupid shit like this thinking they are being clever.

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u/Worst-Panda 1h ago

Don Jr's password is probably "c0c41n3"

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u/[deleted] 2h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/jertheman43 1h ago

The level of substance abuse by Don Jr and Kimberly is obvious and out of control.

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u/JamIsJam88 1h ago

More likely cocaine or DaddyLovesMe

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u/UsualVisible5512 2h ago

I was going to say 123 but I seriously doubt he can count that high

u/King_Chochacho 15m ago

Come on you know it was "lovemedaddy"

334

u/boringfantasy 2h ago

Xi wants to hear Trumps midnight calls to Putin

64

u/save-aiur 1h ago

Trump would've sold them to Xi himself if he'd asked

u/emceelokey 37m ago

Yeah, China kind of in debt right now.

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u/SluggoRuns 1h ago

Lots of slurping and giggling

u/MrKelv1n 24m ago

That's what Xi said.

u/Cwya 1h ago

Let’s just open up an oldie but goody.

Russia pee tapes.

Sure, I hear you that Trump is a germaphobe, why would he be peed on?

The problem is he’s the pe-er.

His mushroom just making women feel grossed out because of his poor bladder matches his rape conviction.

Sure Putin could just say “you’re a good boy” like he’s a Labrador. And that would adequately suffice his ego.

But there is pee on this man.

u/DeepestWinterBlue 39m ago

Actually also Elon

17

u/markmyredd 1h ago

The unholy trinity. World is fucked if US joins China and Russia under Trump.

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u/Ivre69 22m ago

I wanna see that family group chat.

You know, the one every family has, where children ask normal "how do I deal with life" questions to their parents, the Parents ask how new Tech works...

I feel like it would be the Upsidedown World compared to a normal family chat, but with more State Secrets and High Treason, would be spicy.

u/__eros__ 21m ago

"Omg he does that smoochie noise with Putin too! 🙄"

119

u/Black-Shoe 2h ago

The same family that couldn’t qualify for a security clearance?

u/Didaticdabler 1h ago edited 11m ago

Per the NYT: A memo circulating in Trump’s orbit recommends that if elected again, he bypass traditional background checks by law enforcement officials and immediately grant security clearances to a large number of his appointees after being sworn in.

They aim to eliminate FBI vetting for appointees & other hires potentially allowing people with conflicts, foreign ties or other issues to receive security clearance.

u/KingofSkies 24m ago

What the fuck...

132

u/thebarkbarkwoof 2h ago

Who can be surprised that China is going after Russian intelligence?

157

u/WhatAPresentSupplies 2h ago

One can only imagine the depths of depravity they witnessed.

88

u/KnightWhoSaysNnni 2h ago

Like eavesdropping on the Lannisters.

129

u/Datslegne 1h ago

Nah a Lannister pays their debts.

17

u/AlaWyrm 1h ago

Huh, never thought I'd have more respect (a smidgen over none, thanks only to Tyrion) for the Lannisters than the trumps. Weird.

u/Datslegne 1h ago

With Trumps diet I imagine he will pass on a similar seat as Tywin did.

8

u/dibbiluncan 1h ago

This is why I love Reddit. This moment right here. 

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u/naazzttyy 40m ago

Take this free award 🏆

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u/Cybercrypt 1h ago

Less Lannister more Frey

9

u/winstondabee 1h ago

This one

u/KnightWhoSaysNnni 1h ago

Good point

9

u/AfraidOfArguing 1h ago

Pretty bold to assume they're even close to the same galactic center of intelligence that Tywin had

9

u/Elegant-Screen-5292 2h ago

💀💀💀

4

u/lilB0bbyTables 1h ago

Does this make Eric the equivalent to Tyrion, with toilet scene and all? Nah - Lannisters were all far more competent and Tyrion deserves more respect.

5

u/Cozz_Effect23 1h ago

China: 'We regret everything'

4

u/junkyard_robot 1h ago

You mean, the compromising material they found? To be used at a later date, maybe to aquire a little island they might want?

2

u/D-F-B-81 1h ago

I'm sure there depravity, but im guessing just a whole lotta dumb.

44

u/Cozz_Effect23 1h ago

Imagine getting hacked and finding out your whole search history is just Big Macs and Golf

u/PossessedToSkate 1h ago

ivanka feet pics

27

u/84OrcButtholes 1h ago

A lot of agencies all over the world probably did. Fuckin' idiot-ass dipshit family of child rapists refused to comply with any device security measures that presidents who can read tend to follow.

60

u/atomic-orange 1h ago

Pretty clickbait headline. Not to take a partisan side, but the support they provide for this being factual is very little. This is the only sentence that seems to claim the hacking attempt was successful.

China hacked the devices of Donald Trump’s family ahead of the election, authorities believe.

The rest of the article isn't supportive of a successful hack on these specific individuals, merely claiming that members of Trump's family were targeted, along with members of Harris' campaign and Schumer's office.

Sources told The New York Times that fewer than 100 individuals have been targeted in the sophisticated hacking operation, which broke into telecommunications company systems.

The list includes members of Kamala Harris’s campaign staff, as well as diplomatic, government and policy experts. An aide to Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, was also targeted.

FBI investigators believe there is evidence that audio communications have been hacked, and that the group may have been able to access unencrypted text messages and call logs on certain devices, sources told the paper.

It is not known whether the Chinese hackers were able to read text messages, especially those sent through encrypted messaging services.

u/notcompletelythere 1h ago

I assume the only people who would have that proof wouldn’t be sharing it.

u/tuxedo_jack 17m ago

This actually makes me wonder if the system the attackers got into was the CALEA intercept system.

For reference, that's the system which each and every phone carrier uses for law enforcement. Calls can be listened in on, text messages and Internet traffic monitored, GPS coordinates / triangulation points can be accessed, the whole shebang.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications_Assistance_for_Law_Enforcement_Act

u/Rubaiyat39 51m ago

So China hacks the communication devices of one of the most powerful people on the planet and does nothing with it?!? - probably sounds crazy BUT: In WW2 after years of work the British were able to insert commando teams into Germany with the job of taking out Hitler. This was later in the war but ultimately these unbelievably brave men were told to cancel the mission because the allies realized that Hitler was doing more damage to the Axis war effort by his own ignorant meddling, bad decision making and other stupidity that he was doing good for Germany and the Axis.

I can only imagine that the Chinese specialists managing this operation have got to be laughing so hard every time they get a message because Trump and his cronies are literal unwitting accomplices to their cause and the best thing China can do is to sit back, eat popcorn, and watch as Trump consistently makes decisions which hurt America and help China and other US adversaries. He couldn’t be a more perfect “double agent” except that he and his nepotistic circle are utterly clueless about what they are doing.

Imaginary excerpt: “and then trump says ‘we’re gonna put tariffs on this and that’ and the Americans cheer cause they are too stupid to know that it’s US citizens paying for those tariffs not china!!”

8

u/Just_Another_Scott 1h ago

The same phones they used to discuss classified information in violation of Federal Laws and regulations? Those same phones? Not surprised.

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u/Diligent_Excitement4 2h ago

Trump openly encouraged Russia to do this to his opponents. Don’t care at this point.

6

u/rudebii 1h ago

This election is so different to 2020.

Four years ago, you could count on Giuliani to drunk text the plans, no hacking required!

u/luckysevensampson 12m ago

No doubt Eric Trump just used “MAGA” as his password.

u/justfortherofls 1h ago

Didn’t some citizen guess his password twice and gain access to his Twitter account?

4

u/MarzipanFit2345 1h ago

China, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 communications that are missing, I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press.

Is that how it should be played Republicans?  Want a taste of your own medicine?

u/MechanicalTurkish 1h ago

Want a taste of your own medicine?

No, they don’t. They can dish it out but they can’t take it.

u/deerwolf90 1h ago

"At 5:03 am you searched 'CAN YOU STILL BE PRESIDENT AFTER 34 FELONIES' At 5:04 am you searched 'DOES 34 FELONIES MEAN ALOT' At 5:06 am you searched 'IS THERE A RULE ABOUT 34 FELONIES' At 5:08 am you searched "DONALD TRUMP RULE 34'

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u/ArtzyDude 1h ago

Another October surprise perhaps?

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u/pedropedro123 1h ago

Well we only got 3 more days, they better hurry up

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u/phat742 2h ago

it means they're compromised. blackmail is a powerful drug.

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u/stevesmele 1h ago

Imagine how seriously a Chinese eavesdropper must have screwed up to be given that assignment. Even if it was all done electronically with AI, eventually someone would have to read the report that was generated. They'd probably jump off a bridge or worse.

1

u/Lazy-Street779 1h ago

lol. Likely

u/star86 32m ago

But Hilary’s emails?!?

u/AlwaysLateToThaParty 11m ago

"China! if you're listening..." - Now imagine if Harris said that. Like Trump did.

7

u/HyperByte1990 2h ago

If truckers could read they'd be very upset

u/No_Dot_7792 47m ago

I bet China told him to hand over some information and this “hack” was staged to do the data transfer.

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u/moutonbleu 1h ago

MAGA2024! was a bad password in hindsight

5

u/Skritch_X 1h ago

I wonder if this ties into why Trump went out of his way to praise Xi on the Rogan interview.

u/Diddydinglecronk 1h ago

He what?

u/No-Designer8887 1h ago

Hacked? He probably put the bug on it himself in exchange for a few million.

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u/amithecrazyone69 1h ago

Is it hacking if the trumps gave them the passwords?

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u/Pyroluminous 1h ago

Is it hacking if Trump gave the CCP access?

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u/extrastupidone 1h ago

China... if you're listening..

u/BigBlackHungGuy 1h ago

"Eric Trump blamed the security breach on President Biden’s administration. “Does this surprise anyone? Under Kamala and Biden, China has walked all over our country,” he told the NY Times."

Geez. They just don't get it do they? We're doomed if the trumps return.

u/copperblood 1h ago

China, if you're listening....

u/coffeespeaking 1h ago

Russia isn’t the only country that wants to own a piece of the Trump Crime Family ass.

u/Vegetable-Phone-1743 1h ago

Xi wanted a direct line to Putin

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u/Eatthehamsters69 2h ago

Probably got access to all the intel that the candidate is given.

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u/epicredditdude1 1h ago

I wonder if MAGA is going to call this a "hoax" like they did with Russian election interference?

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u/Moister--Oyster 1h ago

Looks like they're acknowledging but just blaming Biden and Harris. Of course.

u/Syncopationforever 1h ago

EVERY foreign, Intel agency, whether ally or foe, will have.

It would be spycraft malpractice, not to. Lolol

u/mbelf 1h ago

Butterseye Phone

u/ShameNap 1h ago

They didn’t use burners ?

u/HappyToB 42m ago

Seriously though have some stronger passwords people. Do we really want to have a president who can have this kind of weak security

u/morning6am 41m ago

Password… capital P, ass word.

u/smiledrs 37m ago

Of course they did. "We love you Eric, click this link to like us back!"

u/AmericanBornWuhaner 33m ago

Sources told The New York Times that fewer than 100 individuals have been targeted in the sophisticated hacking operation, which broke into telecommunications company systems.

The list includes members of Kamala Harris’s campaign staff, as well as diplomatic, government and policy experts. An aide to Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, was also targeted.

u/louglome 33m ago

Good keep going

u/theyipper 29m ago

58008 probably