Hackers hijack Nikki Fried's campaign Twitter account

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The hijacked account now leaves little trace of the Democratic gubernatorial contender.

Hackers on Saturday hijacked the campaign Twitter account of Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.

The verified account, seized in a phishing attack, is now on the fritz. Hackers are posting a string of tweets promoting the sale of non-fungible tokens — or NFTs. They’ve also rebranded the profile, leaving no trace of Fried other than the original Twitter tag.

The account now features a banner and profile picture depicting cartoon characters wearing comically themed hats. The phrase “SKULLTOONS” spans across the top.

Fried’s campaign team acknowledged the breach shortly after the incident.

“Earlier this evening, Nikki Fried’s account was compromised through a (phishing) attack,” said Keith Edwards, Fried’s campaign communications director. “We are doing everything we can to get Twitter support to fix it.”

Edwards also offered a warning: “Don’t click on any of the links tweeted from that account.”

Image shows the status of Nikki Fried’s account as of Saturday evening.

A 2022 Democratic gubernational contender, the incident strikes a blow to the heart of Fried’s fundraising operation — social media. The campaign’s strategy leans heavily on it, and often sends messages to followers asking for donations.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Press Secretary, Christina Pushaw, pounced on news of the security breach.

“I knew Nikki Fried’s fundraising numbers were bad, but didn’t think she would get this desperate,” Pushaw wrote in a Twitter post.

Fried is vying against two Democratic primary challengers: Congressman Charlie Crist and Sen. Annette Taddeo.

Taddeo too capitalized on the mishap.

“PSA: I’m not taking donations in crypto,” she tweeted alongside a link to a campaign donation page.

Fried’s account boasts more than 273,000 followers. Earlier this week, she announced the hire of three new communications team members as part of a larger campaign reset.

Fried spent Saturday at a Fort Myers campaign event and took part in a Women’s March for Equality.

The account’s last genuine tweets tout the events and feature pictures and videos of the march.

Fried’s official government Twitter account remains in good standing.

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36 comments

Impeach Biden
March 19, 2022 at 8:28 pm

Absolutely hilarious and it couldn’t happen to a nicer person. That’s karma Nikki. Bye bye. November can’t come soon enough.
- Concern Citizen
  March 19, 2022 at 8:37 pm
  
  The rumor is that Christina Pushaw , who spent time in Russia as a student and was possibly recruited by the KGB, had her Russian friends hack Nikki Twitter account.
  Has she or DeSantis honestly denounce Putin?
  - Tom
    March 20, 2022 at 8:19 am
    
    Typical ignorance from Manchurian non “concerned” so stupid.
    
    The 5% Manchurian haters on FP are ignoramuses. Shameful, “rumor” had it you moron. So pathetic of you. Is that the best you got!! Go away concerned.
    - Concern Citizen
      March 20, 2022 at 9:27 am
      
      If you are going to use Manchurian as an insult, please use it properly. It is Manchurian Candidate. Anyhow, I love the rumor. From good sources, the rumor has legs.
      - Tom
        March 20, 2022 at 11:00 am
        
        Shove it up your pie hole non concerned. You are an idiot.
        You and your Manchurian party are ignorant. Don’t ever suggest to me anything. You pathetic liar.
        Typical from you and November to slander! F off! No one cares bout n. fraud.
    - RonDeSantisSucks
      March 21, 2022 at 4:16 am
      
      Well, there are a lot of people that think Pushaw is the one who did it. A lot of people think maybe she did it. There are many people that think maybe she did it. Maybe she’s responsible. That’s what people are saying. A lot of people, that’s the rumor. I’m not saying it, believe me. CHYNA
      - Tom
        March 22, 2022 at 5:07 am
        
        Lot of people think? That’s the proof? That’s how you prove it, you accuse someone violating law, with no proof.
        Despicable being. You and the other Manchurians haters on this page are a disgrace.
- Comment
  March 19, 2022 at 8:52 pm
  
  Hacking has been around sciince the telephone and pay phone’s
- November
  March 19, 2022 at 10:12 pm
  
  What happening in November?
  
  Is the govt wife gonna get that cancer back? Lol
  - Tom
    March 20, 2022 at 7:28 am
    
    November Really funny, dumb ass Manchurian.
    Just so hilarious, you ignorant moron.
    You sick pathetic person.
    - Concern Citizen
      March 20, 2022 at 11:45 am
      
      Tom the Putin troll is back on line.
      - Tom
        March 20, 2022 at 11:16 pm
        
        moron who speaks idiocy.
        You know nothing.
tom palmer
March 19, 2022 at 9:53 pm

Why is the GOP so afraid of her?

go
- Ocean Joe
  March 20, 2022 at 6:25 am
  
  She is a stone in the goose steppers’ shoes.
- Tom
  March 20, 2022 at 7:36 am
  
  Hardly afraid of fraud.
  She brings the best out of her opponents.
  Her candidacy is hopeless.
  Better if she wins nomination, , electoral blowout for sure. No real difference if camillion nominee.
  
  Biden’s disapproval is huge in Florida at 34% approval. Dum dum Demings, Camillion or Fraud won’t be able to overcome. Independents can’t stand Biden and Dems. His numbers are horrible with independents, 35% approval at best. Hispanics abandoning him as well.
- Tom
  March 20, 2022 at 7:57 am
  
  No one fears nikki fraud.
  Why would they? She’s accomplished nothing. No achievements, extremism, bellicose, Florida’s AOC.
  If she wins nomination, it ensures political oblivion for Dums. Even if Camillion wins, it does. Biden’s Florida approval is 34%. America’s Gov and Marco win big! Fear her? Welcome her more like it.
Charlotte Greenbarg
March 20, 2022 at 8:06 am

“November “ is a slug, and the epitome of the far left. Karma will come calling.
Brandon
March 20, 2022 at 8:39 am

The Lockdown lobbyist has locked down her twitter account.
martin
March 20, 2022 at 12:19 pm

She is probably better off for it. This way she will not be sticking her foot in her mouth for a awhile.
- Impeach Biden
  March 20, 2022 at 3:49 pm
  
  Hilarious
Victoria
March 20, 2022 at 9:08 pm

I’m sure DeSatan did this the Fascist Nazi
- Tom
  March 22, 2022 at 5:03 am
  
  Scum bag
  - Victoria
    March 23, 2022 at 9:51 am
    
    If your a Fascist fascist Nazi of course you praise him
- Tom
  March 22, 2022 at 8:14 am
  
  Despicable Victoria, how dare you.
  America’s Governor, bless him and family! Fortunate to have him.
Cheezy Charlie
March 21, 2022 at 12:34 am

Fuc*…this thread needs a f*kg a few adults. Pls chldren. Stop it already. You’re devaluating the FP brand.
- Inmates are Running the Asylum
  March 22, 2022 at 8:11 am
  
  FP is a WordPress site. They could turn off the comments with a click of button.
  
  But they won’t.
  
  The in-fighting creates traffic. Much like Facebook did in amping up the “angry” posts 5 to 1 in the feeds. This creates eyeball “pageviews” numbers they can show to their advertisers.
  
  So to everyone getting angry and fighting, if FP had a product, you’re it.
  
  At most, they will surpress spam (if they can).
Tom
March 22, 2022 at 5:02 am

Eat your cheese, sleazy Charlie. I have made the FP brand worthy, I am a legend. Your Manchurians have been silenced by me. Concerned, November and others are sleaze bags.
- Victoria
  March 23, 2022 at 9:49 am
  
  This is NOT about Charlie do you not comprehend what your reading?
  - Tom
    March 23, 2022 at 12:17 pm
    
    Sleaze bag, Yes Victoria you are.
    Charlie and the rest of you Manchurians. I’ve raised the FP brand.
Tom
March 22, 2022 at 8:11 am

What kind of close up is that of n fraud?
Talk bout close up. Was the photographer an ex playboy photo person? What size are they? My goodness.
Victoria
March 23, 2022 at 2:38 pm

Sounds like your the typical uneducated redneck Fascist, ,racist, white Supremacy Nazi.
- Tom
  March 23, 2022 at 7:04 pm
  
  Sounds like you are the typical liberal wench, extremist. Go Twitter AOC.
  Idiot.
Victoria A Olson
March 23, 2022 at 9:14 pm

I am a proud snowflake and you are a fascist Racist trumper
Tom
March 23, 2022 at 10:38 pm

You are a dumb ass wench.
Go get fondled by cuomo.
Maybe fraud will have sleaze day.
You are an idiot extremist.
Getting trounced you are.
You don’t know fascism or racism.
You and your Manchurians are corrupt beings.
Enjoy sleaze day with fraud.
Victoria A Olson
March 23, 2022 at 10:58 pm

TRUMPS BIG LIE THE ELECTION WAS RIGGED what a joke the guy is a sore loser like you. IF YOU BELEIVE THAT HORSE MANURE you will die in HELL like the rest of you trying to destroy DEMOCRACY. MOVE TO RUSSIA IF YOU THINK AUTHORATORISM IS SO GREAT. the only ones committing fraud are REPUBLICANS
- Tom
  March 24, 2022 at 7:10 am
  
  Wah Wah, you don’t know anything.
  Just a mental incompetent, repeat spoon fed meaningless talking points.
  
  Dems are a disaster in foreign policy. Clueless Biden, debacle after debacle.
  Joe has at nuclear war. If all this was Trump, you’d be urinating in pants.
  So ignorant and disgusting, such liars. So corrupt. Pathetic.