FBI Investigates AI-Driven Impersonation of White House Chief of Staff

Susie Wiles, President Donald Trump's chief of staff, was targeted in a sophisticated impersonation scheme where cybercriminals used artificial intelligence to mimic her voice and send texts to prominent Republicans and business leaders. The impersonator gained access to Wiles's personal cellphone contacts and sent messages, including one requesting a cash transfer and another asking a politician to draft a list of potential pardon candidates, raising suspicions among recipients due to the unusually formal tone. The FBI and White House are investigating the incident but do not currently believe a foreign government is behind the attack. Wiles has apologized and advised her contacts to delete the fraudulent messages. This is not the first time Wiles has faced cybersecurity threats, as Iranian agents previously hacked her emails in an operation linked to attempts to undermine the 2024 US election and Trump's campaign. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that protecting secure communication for administration officials remains a top priority amid these ongoing cybersecurity concerns.