Politico reported that CISA acting director Madhu Gottumukkala uploaded sensitive files to a public version of ChatGPT; MS NOW has not independently confirmed the report. The story follows a DHS probe into an "unsanctioned" polygraph Gottumukkala reportedly failed. Many pro‑Trump social media responses shifted from security questions to racially charged attacks on his Indian heritage, reflecting a pattern of similar targeting of Indian American Trump allies. Observers warn the focus on identity distracts from substantive, fact‑based scrutiny of the security issues.
MAGA Attacks on CISA Chief Take Racial Turn After Report He Uploaded Files to ChatGPT
Reports that Madhu Gottumukkala, the acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), uploaded sensitive files last summer to a public version of ChatGPT have prompted a fierce reaction from pro‑Trump online communities — much of it laced with racist attacks aimed at his Indian heritage.
Politico published the initial report; MS NOW has not independently confirmed the account. The story follows a Department of Homeland Security investigation into an "unsanctioned" polygraph administered to Gottumukkala by CISA employees, a test he reportedly failed. Taken together, the allegations have raised legitimate questions about judgment and information security.
Online Backlash and Racial Overtones
Rather than focusing solely on the security concerns, many responses from pro‑Trump social accounts — including high‑profile MAGA influencers — quickly shifted to personal and racially charged attacks against Gottumukkala. These attacks emphasize his Indian background more than the reported security lapse itself, suggesting race has become a focal point in the online conversation.
Madhu Gottumukkala, acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, testifies during the DHS oversight hearing in the Cannon House office building Jan. 21, 202, in Washington, D.C.(Heather Diehl / Getty Images)
Context and Comparisons
Observers note this episode fits a broader pattern: some MAGA influencers have previously targeted prominent Indian American Trump supporters with racially tinged criticism. Examples include FBI Director Kash Patel and former presidential candidate and Ohio gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy. At the same time, other officials linked to the Signal scandal — such as JD Vance, Pete Hegseth and Mike Waltz, who were named in reports about unsecured chats where classified information was mishandled — faced less sustained online racial vitriol.
That contrast has led critics to argue that, in some corners of MAGA media, attacks escalate differently when the target is a person of Indian descent — a troubling pattern that shifts attention away from substantive security questions and toward identity‑based attacks.
Why It Matters
Whether or not the Politico account is fully corroborated, the episode highlights two issues: potential lapses in handling sensitive information and the way partisan online communities can weaponize identity to distract from or amplify controversy. Both deserve careful, fact‑based scrutiny by authorities and responsible reporting by media and influencers.
Bottom line: The reported ChatGPT upload and the DHS polygraph probe raise real security concerns. The subsequent online response underscores a pattern of racially charged attacks against Indian American officials that detracts from policy‑focused discussion.
Help us improve.
