Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, was hit by significant outages on Monday, with Musk attributing the disruptions to a large-scale cyberattack. The outages, which were reported globally, left thousands of users unable to access the platform, sparking widespread frustration and speculation over the cause. Musk claimed that the attack originated from IP addresses linked to Ukraine, though specifics regarding the alleged incident remain unclear.“We’re still investigating the situation,” Musk said during an interview with Fox Business on Monday afternoon. “It appears to have been a coordinated cyberattack aimed at destabilizing the X platform, with traffic coming from IP addresses in the Ukraine region.” Musk stopped short of suggesting direct involvement from the Ukrainian government, noting the possibility that the IP addresses could have been spoofed by attackers to obscure their origin.While the exact motivation behind the attack remains unknown, Musk hinted at the involvement of a “large, organized group or even a nation-state” in a post on X. The platform has yet to provide additional details regarding the outage, leaving cybersecurity experts to weigh in on the credibility of Musk’s claims.
Widespread disruptions reported
According to outage-tracking site DownDetector, the disruptions began early Monday morning around 6 a.m. Eastern Time, with over 20,000 users reporting issues. The platform appeared to stabilize briefly, before a second wave of outages occurred later in the morning, peaking at nearly 40,000 complaints by 10 a.m. Users reported difficulties loading the platform, with the problem spanning multiple countries, indicating a global impact.By the afternoon, the number of reported issues began to decline, and Musk confirmed during his interview that the platform was back online. However, the incident left users questioning the platform’s reliability, especially in light of Musk’s extensive restructuring of X since acquiring it in 2022.While DownDetector provided valuable insights into the scale of the outage, it should be noted that its data is based on self-reported user feedback, which may not fully capture the extent of the problem. CNN reached out to X for further clarification, but the company—under Musk’s leadership—has developed a reputation for not responding to press inquiries.
Cyberattack claims under scrutiny
Musk’s assertion that a cyberattack was responsible for the outages has drawn skepticism from cybersecurity experts. Eric Noonan, CEO of CyberSheath, a cybersecurity firm, advised caution in accepting such claims without further evidence.“It’s often premature to draw conclusions immediately after or during an incident like this,” Noonan said. “Attributing the cause of an outage to a cyberattack, especially one allegedly involving a nation-state, requires a thorough investigation.”Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which overwhelm servers with excessive traffic, are a common tactic used to disrupt online platforms. However, Noonan suggested that ransomware attacks have become more prevalent in recent years due to their financial motivations. DDoS attacks, by contrast, are more likely to be used for disruption rather than profit, further complicating efforts to identify the source of the alleged attack.This isn’t the first time Musk has attributed technical difficulties to potential cyberattacks. In 2024, a conversation between Musk and former President Donald Trump on X was delayed by 42 minutes, prompting Musk to suggest that a DDoS attack was the likely cause. Similarly, in 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign announcement on the platform was marred by technical issues, though no official explanation was provided at the time.
Operational challenges under Musk’s leadership
Since Musk’s acquisition of X in 2022, the platform has undergone significant changes, many of which have been met with controversy. Musk implemented widespread layoffs, cutting approximately 80% of the workforce, including top executives and essential technical staff. These reductions have raised questions about the platform’s ability to handle technical challenges and maintain security protocols.The latest outage adds to a growing list of disruptions and glitches that have plagued X since Musk’s takeover. While the billionaire has positioned himself as a champion of free speech and innovation, critics argue that the platform’s reliability has suffered under his leadership.Musk’s management style has also drawn criticism for its emphasis on cost-cutting measures. By slashing staff and requiring remaining employees to return to the office full-time, Musk has alienated many workers and created an environment of uncertainty within the organization.
Broader implications for Musk’s ventures
The disruptions at X come at a challenging time for Musk, whose other businesses have also faced setbacks. On Monday, Tesla shares dropped 15%, erasing gains made since Trump’s election victory in November 2024. The electric vehicle manufacturer has faced mounting pressure from investors concerned about Musk’s political affiliations and the potential impact on the company’s brand.As the head of multiple high-profile ventures, including SpaceX and Tesla, Musk’s ability to manage his expanding portfolio of responsibilities has come under scrutiny. The recent outage at X serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities that can arise when resources are stretched thin.
The road ahead
While X appears to have recovered from Monday’s outages, questions remain about the platform’s long-term stability and security. Musk’s claims of a large-scale cyberattack underscore the growing threat of digital disruptions in an increasingly interconnected world. However, without concrete evidence to support these assertions, skepticism will likely persist.For X users, the incident highlights the importance of diversifying their online communication channels to avoid disruptions during future outages. For Musk, the challenge lies in restoring confidence in the platform while addressing the operational and security concerns that have arisen under his leadership.As the investigation into Monday’s outages continues, the incident serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of managing a global social media platform in an era of heightened cyber threats. Whether Musk’s vision for X can overcome these challenges remains to be seen, but the stakes for his reputation—and that of the platform—have never been higher.
