Elmo's X Account Hacked with Antisemitic Messages

Elmo, the furry Sesame Street character, known for spreading kindness and compassion, was hacked. Sesame Workshop, the maker of the show, condemned the antisemitic and racist messages posted on Elmo's account as 'disgusting.' The posts have been removed, but screenshots showed calls for violence against Jewish people and the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Elmo's account, with 650,000 followers, was briefly compromised by an unknown hacker. The account has been secured now. Elmo's posts usually promote positivity and empathy, making him a source of comfort for many. Last year, his simple question 'how is everybody doing?' went viral, receiving thousands of responses.

In October, Elmo shared a clip about grief with actor Andrew Garfield, sparking a wave of support. During the U.S. election, Elmo's post encouraged people to take a break and relax. The surge in antisemitic incidents has been a concern, with the ADL calling the posts on Elmo's account 'appalling.'

Experts have noted a rise in antisemitic incidents since the Gaza war in 2023. The ADL recorded a record number of 9,354 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. in 2024. Elon Musk, who owns the platform, had to address antisemitic comments made by his AI chatbot Grok, which were later taken down.