Bad News: Michael Waltz’s Venmo Was Left Open with Hundreds of Contacts

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A Venmo account under the name “Michael Waltz,” carrying a profile photo of the national security adviser and connected to accounts bearing the names of people closely associated with him, was left open to the public until Wednesday afternoon. When Wired inquired about the account with this information, Wired wrote that it was made private.

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ Venmo account was also left open.

A WIRED analysis shows that the account revealed the names of hundreds of Waltz’s personal and professional associates, including journalists, military officers, lobbyists, and others—information a foreign intelligence service, an unsavory domestic activist, or other actors could exploit for any number of ends.

Among the accounts exposed are ones that appear to belong to Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff, and Walker Barrett, a staffer on the United States National Security Council. Both were fellow participants in the Signal group chat called “Houthi PC small group.”

This could explain how a Michael Waltz invited activist “journalist” Jeffrey Goldberg to the Signal Chat.

I don’t know anything about Venmo, but AI says it includes anyone on a person’s contact list who is also on Venmo. They can be changed, but it might explain how Goldberg got “invited” to the chat. Perhaps someone could have contacted him via the Michael Waltz Venmo account.

One caveat. I have helped politicians. It’s not unusual for them to have lists of all kinds of people, including journalists.

Another question: Did Michael Waltz leave it open, or did someone hack it?

His account included CNN anchors, myriad journalists, and lobbyists. His list included military officers and other national security figures.

It’s not a good situation for Michael Waltz as National Security Advisor. The only hope is if he was hacked.

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saminia
1 month ago

What was the result of Goldberg being invited into the “chat”? Nothing. The “plan” in question resulted in the destruction of Houthi terrorists as intended. The only negative aspect was that Waltz (perhaps) was careless. The participants in the “chat” learned a clear lesson, and Goldberg got a chance to pretend he was an honorable person who didn’t disclose information because he didn’t want anyone in the operation to be placed in harm’s way by his “reporting.” A plus for Goldberg, a minus for Trump, but no big deal. Not at all like Biden’s “blunders” that got 13 US Marines killed. For which, btw, no Democrat has ever criticized Biden.

The Prisoner
1 month ago

Waltz should resign. He keeps doing more damage. This is entirely unacceptable. He is only an adviser, not a secretary, and look how much trouble he has caused. His security credentials are now destroyed with his huge security lapses. He is a RINO neocon and his chief of staff is a leftist. His actions could very well be part of the plot.

Canadian Friend
1 month ago

was it intentional, an error or a hacker

but intentional does not make much sense, why would Waltz do something that hurts his reputation, his carreer , that would be ” suicidal”

an error is possible but damn if he is that careless he must be fired and replaced with someone more reliable

if it was a hacker, they need to find out who and throw them in prison for a minimum of 10 year

The Prisoner
1 month ago

Trump does not want to repeat the Flynn disaster, in which he was tricked into removing Flynn. But he has to reach the decision to remove Waltz. Flynn did nothing to compromise Trump, Waltz has.

Peter B. Prange,
1 month ago

This seems to increase the likelihood that there is a traitor i the camp trying to Sabotage the President’s advisors.

The Prisoner
1 month ago

Since Waltz admitted he made that group, and left his profile open, he is under suspicion, so is his chief of staff. The prime suspects in this are Waltz and his aide. This could be easily investigated, but I bet you Bondi is not doing that. Beware of Bondi.