Senator J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, has a public Venmo account that reveals his extensive network of connections, according to a WIRED analysis. The account showcases Vance’s ties to GOP heavyweights, wealthy financiers, tech executives, and fellow Yale Law School graduates — the very elites he often criticizes.

Connections to Heritage Foundation, Southern District of New York

Vance’s Venmo friends list includes Amalia Halikias from the Heritage Foundation, which is coordinating the controversial Project 2025.

WIRED further notes that Vance has ties to an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, among many other DOJ lawyers “frequently decried by Trump loyalists as enemies and part of the ‘deep state.’ ”

Other notable connections are former Arizona U.S. senator Jeff Flake, lobbyists, think tank affiliates, journalists, and tech executives. Lanny Davis, a political operative, denied being Venmo friends with Vance despite seemingly appearing in his contacts.

Gab Founder Claims Vance Is ‘Influenceable’

“What you guys need to realize is that Vance is influenceable,” wrote Andrew Torba, founder of Gab, on X. “We have plenty of people in his orbit. Plenty of our guys can be put into positions of power because he’s there.”

What you guys need to realize is that Vance is influenceable. We have plenty of people in his orbit. Plenty of our guys can be put into positions of power because he’s there. Our focus should be on pulling him as far right as possible by 2028. Long game. Honey, not vinegar.

— Andrew Torba (@BasedTorba) July 16, 2024

Experts Warn of Security Risks

Experts warn that the visibility of Vance’s account could create problems for the high-profile individuals connected to it. “Access to anyone’s social connections can reveal sensitive private information and expose them to security risks,” Jennifer Lynch from the Electronic Frontier Foundation told WIRED.

This is not the first time a government official’s Venmo account has been discovered by the public. In 2017, Sean Spicer’s account was sent joke payments, and in 2021, it was reported that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) used Venmo to send payments to a person later convicted of sex trafficking a minor.

Read more at WIRED.