Overview

• On July 13 and 14, an unknown hacker hijacked Elmo’s verified X account to post antisemitic and racist messages calling for violence against Jews and demanding release of Jeffrey Epstein documents.
• Sesame Workshop swiftly deleted all offensive content and regained full control of the account before rolling out upgraded security measures to guard against future intrusions.
• On July 15, Elmo’s profile resumed its signature positive outreach with a message thanking followers for their kindness and reaffirming its community-focused mission.
• The Anti-Defamation League condemned the breach as appalling, warning that such hateful posts underscore gaps in online moderation and the normalization of antisemitism.
• The incident highlights broader challenges for X under Elon Musk’s ownership in protecting high-profile accounts and preventing the spread of hate speech.