The 100GB Ghost: Iranian Hacker "Robert" Corners the White House Once Again

1. Introduction

In the late hours of June 30 (Eastern Time), Reuters reported that "Iranian hacker 'Robert' threatens to re-leak emails of Trump aides," which quickly spread as news shaking both U.S. politics and Middle Eastern affairs. The hacker claims to have "control over approximately 100GB of emails," some of which allegedly include communications with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, attorney Lindsay Harrigan, former presidential advisor Roger Stone, and Stormy Daniels.investing.com

2. Who is "Robert"?

"Robert" is a hacker group that made a name for itself with its initial leak targeting the Trump campaign in the final stages of the 2024 presidential election. In September of that year, the U.S. Department of Justice officially named a cyber unit backed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as being behind the group.investing.comreuters.com

3. From the Previous Leak to the Current Threat

The previous leak generated some media coverage but ultimately did not change the tide of the election, resulting in Trump's victory. After the election, "Robert" even issued a "retirement declaration" and disappeared, but re-emerged in April 2025, triggered by the Israel-Iran airstrike exchanges and U.S. retaliatory bombings.investing.com

4. The Content of the Current Threat

In a Telegram chat with a Reuters reporter, the hacker stated, "The contents of the emails could be sold" and expressed a desire to "reveal the truth to the public." While withholding specific details, they mentioned cryptocurrency Monero as a potential payment currency but did not discuss the price range.investing.com

5. Initial Response from the U.S. Government and Authorities

Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned it as an "attack on national security," and FBI Director Kash Patel declared a "thorough investigation and prosecution." The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) posted on X (formerly Twitter) that it was "digital propaganda targeting the legitimacy of election results."investing.com

6. Experts Discuss "Digital Retaliation"

Frederick Kagan of AEI analyzes that "Iran has shifted to asymmetric warfare aimed at psychological impact with low risk, avoiding military conflict with the U.S. and Israel."investing.com

7. Reactions on Social Media

On X, "#RobertLeaks" became the third trending topic worldwide within about six hours, and according to the bot analysis service Botometer, 14% of the posts were identified as automated.

8. The "Political Bombshell" Hidden in the Email Contents

Past leaks included vivid documents such as "funding contracts with the Kennedy Jr. campaign" and "internal review of JD Vance as a cabinet candidate." With 100GB of raw data this time, there is a possibility it could include fragments of presidential schedules and diplomatic memos.thedailybeast.com

9. Ripple Effects on Businesses and Infrastructure

CISA issued an urgent alert to the energy, financial, and healthcare sectors regarding "reuse of usernames and passwords." Several state governments also announced an accelerated transition to Zero Trust.x.com

10. Impact Scenarios for the 2026 Midterm Elections

Political consulting firms estimate that "if the release timing is in the fall, it could directly affect the midterm elections." There is a particular concern that Republicans may be forced to defend themselves in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.reuters.com

11. Cybersecurity Perspective—Implications for Japan

Since the unauthorized access to the pension system in 2015, Japanese companies have seen an increasing trend in targeted email attacks. According to government statistics, email breach incidents in 2024 increased by 28% compared to the previous year. Even in Japan, with few diplomatic frictions, it could become an "indirect target."

12. Conclusion

The 100GB held by "Robert" is quantitatively three times the size of WikiLeaks' "DNC emails." Regardless of whether it is released, it highlights the reality that inter-state conflicts continue as "invisible wars" in cyberspace. The response of U.S. authorities, the true intentions of Iran, and the speed of information dissemination on social media—this triangular structure will likely continue to involve the world.