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A hacking group linked to Iran has threatened to release emails obtained from Donald Trump’s inner circle during his 2024 presidential election campaign.

Last year, the group, who call themselves “Robert”, contacted several U.S. media outlets, including Politico, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.

They claimed to have internal documents from Trump’s campaign, but the emails were not published by either outlet.

Highlights
  • Hacking group 'Robert', linked to Iran, threatens to release 100GB of stolen emails from Trump’s inner circle during his 2024 campaign.
  • Emails reportedly include messages from Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, lawyer Lindsey Halligan, adviser Roger Stone, and adult film star Stormy Daniels.
  • FBI and Cybersecurity officials condemn the threats as part of a hostile foreign smear campaign aimed at discrediting Trump and his team.
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    The hacking group claimed to have emails from Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and others

    Image credits: The White House

    Now, Robert has contacted Reuters to claim they are in possession of around 100 gigabytes of emails, which they are considering selling.

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    They said the emails come from the accounts of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan, and Trump ally and adviser Roger Stone, Reuters reports.

    Robert also claimed to have emails from Stormy Daniels, an adult film star Trump paid to keep quiet about a sexual encounter they had before the 2016 election.

    “The FBI takes all threats against the president, his staff, and our cybersecurity with the utmost seriousness,” FBI director Kash Patel said in a statement.

    Image credits: Win McNamee/Getty Images

    “Safeguarding our administration officials’ ability to securely communicate to accomplish the president’s mission is a top priority.

    “Anyone associated with any kind of breach of national security will be fully investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    Reuters did verify some of the emails that were leaked last year, but the hackers did not confirm the details included in the new batch.

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    Last year’s emails appeared to show evidence of a financial agreement between Robert F Kennedy Jr., now Health Secretary, and Trump.

    Image credits: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    There were also settlement negotiations between Daniels and Trump, as well as communications regarding potential Republican officeholders.

    In September last year, the Justice Department alleged in an indictment that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were responsible for the Roberts hacking group.

    In online conversations with Reuters, the group refused to address those allegations.

    “A hostile foreign adversary is threatening to illegally exploit purportedly stolen and unverified material in an effort to distract, discredit, and divide,” Marci McCarthy, director of public affairs at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said.

    “This so-called cyber ‘attack’ is nothing more than digital propaganda, and the targets are no coincidence.”

    The hacking group refused to comment on Iran links

    Image credits: CISAgov

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    “This is a calculated smear campaign meant to damage President Trump and discredit honorable public servants who serve our country with distinction.

    “These criminals will be found and they will be brought to justice. Let this be a warning to others: there will be no refuge, tolerance, or leniency for these actions.”

    While just two months ago Robert told Reuters they were “retired”, they now say they are organizing the sale of the material and wanted Reuters to “broadcast the matter.”

    This comes after the U.S. struck several nuclear facilities in Iran after Israel launched a military operation against it.

    Trump has insisted the three sites were “obliterated” despite conflicting media reports.

    A fragile 12-day ceasefire between Israel and Iran is currently holding, after it was brokered by the U.S. and Qatar following the strikes.

    But a hardline cleric close to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has called on Muslims to kill Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Iran International.

    Image credits: Sadegh Nikgostar ATPImages/Getty Images

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    “Anyone who tries to kill or threatens to kill Supreme Leader Khamenei is a mohareb (enemy of God),” Alireza Panahian reportedly said on Monday.

    “Every Muslim anywhere in the world must be willing to give their life and take action to kill them.”

    During hostilities between Israel and Iran, Netanyahu suggested that killing Khamenei would end the conflict, while Trump posted on Truth Social, saying he knew where Khamenei was hiding.

    Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, said he was confident Trump was protected against any direct threat, according to The Hill.

    “It’s not in my lane but we got the strongest president in the history of this country in office right now,” Homan said.