Musk Ridicules Yellen’s Tech Skills After Reported Hack

Reports indicate that Janet Yellen’s work computer was compromised by hackers last month.

Following reports of a cyberattack on Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s computer, Elon Musk, a tech mogul and close Trump ally, has publicly questioned her technological proficiency.

Bloomberg reported that hackers infiltrated Yellen’s computer and those of two aides in early December. The US government attributes the breach to a vulnerability exploited by a third-party contractor’s software, blaming the attack on a hacking group.

Musk responded on X with sarcastic remarks implying Yellen lacked tech skills.

“A 12-year-old could hack Yellen’s computer. I doubt she knows how to reboot her WiFi router,” he jested, offering no evidence for his assessment of the 78-year-old’s digital literacy.

“Maybe she clicked on the ‘send me 1 btc, I send you 2btc’ email,” he speculated in another post, adding a laughing emoji to his suggestion that she fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam.

The US government identified the perpetrators as the hacking groups ‘Silk Typhoon’ and ‘UNC5221’, alleging Chinese government backing. China denies involvement, accusing the US of fabricating cyberespionage claims to justify sanctions.

Yellen is soon to leave her Treasury post, responsible for enforcing US economic sanctions. Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent will succeed her under the Trump administration.

During his confirmation hearing on Thursday, Bessent stated he would be “100% on board” with escalating sanctions against Russia, should Trump pursue a more aggressive approach after his inauguration on Monday.

Musk previously criticized Yellen’s performance as Treasury Secretary, suggesting Warren Buffett as a better alternative in April 2023.