What Happened?
Elon Musk confirmed that X platform experienced a massive cyberattack on March 10, 2025, resulting in tens of thousands of users worldwide being unable to access the platform properly. Musk speculated that the attack could be related to Ukraine, but did not directly accuse the Ukrainian government of being involved. Since hackers often use IP spoofing techniques, it remains a significant challenge to determine the actual origin of the attack.
As the head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has faced a great deal of dissatisfaction recently, leading some to believe that the attack on the X platform may be related to the reforms he has been pushing within the government efficiency department and his criticisms of the SEC.
X Platform Faces Widespread Outage, Musk Blames “Massive Cyberattack”
Recently, the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), owned by Elon Musk, became the target of a hacker attack. The large-scale cyberattack left many users unable to access the platform, drawing attention from various sectors. Musk confirmed the event in a media interview and revealed that the attack might have involved a large coordinating organization or a nation-state.
On March 10, 2025, Elon Musk officially confirmed that his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) had been hit by a large-scale cyberattack, resulting in many users being unable to access the platform. According to data from DownDetector, nearly 40,000 users reported platform issues on the morning of the attack, and the problem was gradually resolved by the afternoon.
Where Did the Attack Originate From? Musk Suspects Ukraine
In an interview with Fox Business, Musk indicated that the attack originated from a “large, coordinated team and/or nation,” specifically mentioning that the IP addresses traced back to Ukraine. He added that while he could not be certain about what happened, the attack clearly had significant resources behind it, indicating a powerful force at play.
Although Musk mentioned that the attack traffic originated from the Ukraine region, he did not directly accuse the Ukrainian government of being involved. Hackers often use IP address masking techniques to conceal the true origin, making it difficult to confirm the actual background of the attack. Based on past experience, hackers tend to forge IP addresses to hide the attack’s origin, complicating the investigation into the true motives behind it. Musk himself also stated that this attack was likely not carried out by a single person or a small-scale hacker but was a coordinated effort, potentially involving state-level power.
Challenges Facing Musk’s Other Businesses
Musk’s series of enterprises, including Tesla and X, have been under public scrutiny recently. In addition to this cyberattack, Musk has also faced challenges from various angles, including his relationship with the Trump administration and the reforms he has implemented in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Particularly after Donald Trump’s election, Musk was appointed as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), responsible for reducing government spending and increasing government efficiency. However, the cost-saving measures promoted by DOGE have sparked controversy. His department claims to have saved over $105 billion in taxpayer funds and is actively investigating the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for alleged waste of resources. These events have led to increasing tension between Musk and certain groups, making him a target for various protests and social movements.
Various social movements, including protests and vandalism at Tesla stores, have affected his businesses. In particular, Tesla’s stores and vehicles have become the focal point of discontent, with several instances of deliberate damage. According to NBC News, there have been at least ten incidents of vandalism targeting Tesla stores and vehicles.
After acquiring the popular social media platform Twitter in 2022, Musk implemented significant cuts and major changes to X. He not only fired executives but also laid off 3,500 employees—half of the platform’s workforce—in the days following the acquisition, requiring the remaining employees to return to the office full-time. While X’s services have since been restored, the cyberattack has raised concerns about the security challenges Musk faces.
Musk’s business ventures span multiple industries, from electric vehicles to space exploration, social media, and government reform. The risks and responsibilities he carries are considerable. Industry analysts believe that the impact of this attack may be just the tip of the iceberg. As technology becomes increasingly reliant on internet and data security, such incidents are likely to become more frequent in the future.
References: Cointelegraph, CNN