Trump and Vance potential targets in broad Chinese-backed hacking operation

Federal authorities believe Chinese-backed cybercriminals may have tried to gain access to phones or networks used by former President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance, multiple sources familiar with the matter confirmed to CBS News. Officials are concerned that the hackers may have infiltrated telecommunications systems and then targeted the candidates, the sources said.

The extent of the potential cyber operation and what information the alleged hackers may have compromised remains unclear. The sources said the campaign was recently alerted that phones used by the candidates may have been among the targets of a cyber campaign.

The news was first reported by the New York Times.

The Justice Department and FBI declined to comment. The Trump campaign declined a request for comment from CBS News.

A source familiar with the investigation told CBS News that Trump and Vance’s potential targets were part of a broad cyberattack that targeted officials from both major political parties and law enforcement who recently notified potential victims. Law enforcement officials currently view the hack as an act of espionage, not an attempt to influence the campaign, another source said.