Trump and Allies Once Celebrated Hacked Materials, But Now Complain

Donald Trump’s stance on the issue of hacked materials has shifted dramatically over the years. During his 2016 presidential campaign, he famously called on Russia to find Hillary Clinton’s missing emails, suggesting that they would be rewarded by the media. This embrace of opposition research and hacked information appeared to bolster his campaign at that time.

However, in a recent twist, Trump’s current presidential campaign announced that it was targeted by Iranian hackers. Communications director Steven Cheung declared that any media outlet publishing documents or communications obtained through these hacks would be helping America’s adversaries. This new declaration stands in stark contrast to his previous enthusiasm for releasing hacked materials, particularly during the 2016 election.

The details surrounding the current hacking incident are still unclear. On Friday, Microsoft reported that hackers, allegedly from Iran, attempted to access the account of an unidentified official associated with one of the presidential campaigns. Following a report by Politico about a source claiming to possess internal campaign documents, the Trump campaign confirmed the hack.

Iran has denied any involvement in the attempted breach, and the U.S. government has not verified whether a breach occurred. The FBI announced it is now investigating the situation to ascertain the facts surrounding the hacking.

Reflecting back on the events of 2016, Russian hackers managed to infiltrate the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and even personal communications of Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta. This response was encouraged by Trump, who suggested to Russia that they locate Clinton’s emails and later dismissed his comments as a joke.

The leaked information surfaced through various third-party platforms, including Wikileaks, which began disbursing documentation in October during a particularly tumultuous election cycle. This was just after a video emerged showing Trump making reprehensible comments about women, an event that contributed to a politically charged atmosphere.

Throughout the 2016 campaign, Trump often celebrated the leaked Democratic emails at his rallies, famously proclaiming, “I love Wikileaks.” The breadth of media coverage surrounding these leaks ultimately influenced public perception and, according to Kathleen Hall Jamieson, a professor who analyzed the impact of cyber warfare on the election, they played a pivotal role in securing Trump’s victory.

Jamieson criticized the media’s handling of the situation, asserting that the coverage surrounding Russian hacking and the resultant leaks was not a proud moment for journalism. The ongoing dilemma is how news organizations navigate their ethical standards when dealing with materials that find their way into the public domain.

Reflecting on this shift in Trump’s narrative, Jamieson remarked that his statements align with electoral convenience, highlighting his tendency to overlook inconsistencies in his positions.

Nick Merrill, who served as a spokesperson for Clinton’s 2016 campaign and famously contested the distribution of hacked materials, drew a parallel between the two situations on Monday. He pointed out the apparent hypocrisy in Trump’s current stance, noting that the campaign spent weeks trying to downplay its perceived oddities.

Merrill further suggested that the release of internal communications from the Trump campaign may not aid their cause but instead contribute to the ongoing narrative regarding their behavior. When asked whether he believed hacked materials should now be published, he acknowledged that a precedent has certainly been established but refrained from passing any judgment on the matter.

This evolving narrative surrounding hacked materials has significant implications as both parties navigate their respective campaigns. The ethical considerations in publishing such information, as well as the impact on voter perception, continue to be hotly debated topics as the election season unfolds.