Exclusive — Deloitte Advisor's Controversial Leak Of JD Vance Emails To The Washington Post
In 2020, then-private citizen JD Vance shared private communications with Kevin Gallagher, who works at Deloitte. These messages included Vance's criticisms of then-President Donald Trump.
The Washington Post published excerpts from these messages without revealing Gallagher's identity, citing his protection due to fears of retaliation. Breitbart News later identified Kevin Gallagher as the source of the leak, leading to widespread attention and criticism.
Consultant Takes Steps to Remain Anonymous
Following the leak, Kevin Gallagher removed his presence from social platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn to avoid public scrutiny. Vance’s team criticized the Washington Post for not providing the full context of the communications.
They argued that withholding Gallagher's identity and some parts of the messages compromised the story’s integrity.
Deloitte and the Question of Approval
Deloitte's website describes Gallagher as a principal with a strong background in investment management. It remains unknown whether Deloitte knew about or sanctioned Gallagher's actions of leaking the communications.
This incident could potentially impact Deloitte’s reputation as a nonpartisan entity and affect its future relations with government bodies.
Vance and Gallagher's Past Connections
Both Vance and Gallagher have educational ties to Yale, with Gallagher completing his undergraduate studies and Vance earning his law degree at the institution, though it is not confirmed if they met during their time there.
“Senator Vance recalls these conversations with Kevin Gallagher, a principal at Deloitte, and we find it shocking that the Washington Post has refused to provide us with the full context of the conversation and is refusing to name their source in the story,” stated Vance’s spokesman, Martin.
He further criticized the Washington Post for its lack of transparency, suggesting that this incident highlights a failure in journalistic ethics.
Reactions from the Trump Camp
A source close to Trump’s family expressed severe disapproval of Deloitte’s handling of the situation and hinted at significant repercussions for Deloitte’s government relations team.
“The entire government affairs team at Deloitte should be fired,” the source stated, reflecting the perceived gravity of the leak’s implications.
Martin also remarked on the bias he perceives in the media, particularly targeting the Washington Post for its editorial choices, which align it against Republican figures.
Broader Implications for Deloitte and Media Ethics
“The Washington Post has unethically and disgracefully covered this story, refusing to provide the full context of this exchange and intentionally leaving out proof that Senator Vance had made similar remarks publicly around this time,” Martin added.
This statement underscores the ongoing debate over media responsibility and the ethical considerations in political reporting, particularly during election times.
The controversy not only questions the Washington Post's journalistic standards but also places Deloitte in a precarious position regarding its nonpartisan stance and future interactions with governmental agencies.