Open the book
You’d think an operator as good as JD Vance – Yale alumnus, Ohio senator and now donald trumprunning mate – would be more attentive to the use of social media.
Wired I got Vance’s Venmo account and took a look at his contact list, which shows the breadth and depth of his deep connections with America’s rich and powerful, despite his personal brand as an underrepresented figure from rural America, fighting against unapproachable elites.
In reality, the payment app showcases a range of powerful connections, from Tucker Carlson to high-ranking Yale Law School classmates, tech executives, the super-rich, and conservative operatives connected to the notorious group The Heritage Foundation . Project 2025, whose objective is to shape the federal government into a more strongly right-wing apparatus. In other words, his gilded personal connections should raise the eyebrows of anyone who considers him legitimately working class.
There are also personal connections that seem embarrassing. See his connection with Jordan Wiggins, who previously ran Vance’s successful Senate campaign, and according to Wired had transactions crudely described as “adult ” and “Back waxing and happy ending.” (Wiggins did not respond to Wiredfor comment, but made his account private after the magazine reached out.)
Private eye
Beyond the specifics of Vance’s Venmo, the incident shows that nothing is private when it comes to technology like social media.
The case in question is the infamous example of US Congressman Matt Gaetz of Floridawhose Venmo showed that he had paid a sex trafficker now convicted, who then gave money to three women. Gaetz is accused of having sex with one of the women, who was 17 years old at the time.
One would expect that such a spectacular explosion of scandal would make anyone – especially the well-connected – cautious about using social media. But that’s a no, as seen in the situation with Vance and his former campaign manager.
Even if you’re not a well-connected senator who’s one step away from becoming vice president, you should be more aware of your use of social media and anything involving online transactions.
Not only can your activities become public, but hackers can exploit crumbs of information on apps like Venmo and make you a target for scams, among other thefts.
More on Venmo: Congressman’s sex scandal explodes because he left Venmo transactions public
