An investigation by WIRED has revealed that a policy advisor for JD Vance, Aaron Kofsky, allegedly made online posts over several years expressing his fondness for drugs including cocaine, weed, and opiates. Kofsky was identified as the person behind the Reddit account “PsychoticMammal”, which also shared specific details matching his resume and education.
Kofsky, listed on LinkedIn as a financial policy advisor in Vance’s office, with previous roles as a senior legislative assistant and banking legislative assistant, has reportedly assisted Vance in developing his stance against certain cryptocurrency regulations, among other responsibilities. WIRED linked Kofsky to the “Psychotic Mammal” Reddit account and similar profiles through his personal email and other social media platforms.
On Reddit, the account posted about drug preferences, with comments such as “I love coke on its own, mixed with benzos, mixed with opiates (my fav tbh),” and rating various drugs on a scale from 1 to 10. Kofsky was also visible in a video shared by “PsychoticMammal” from a Senate committee hearing, where Vance questioned a former DEA agent about the rising use of nitazenes.
Following the WIRED investigation, multiple drug-related posts by the account were reportedly deleted. In a statement provided by a spokesperson for Vance’s Senate office, Kofsky acknowledged his past struggles with drug use, primarily as a way to cope with epilepsy and its medication effects. Kofsky expressed regret over his comments and stated that he has moved past that phase of his life.
The Independent has contacted JD Vance’s office for further comments on the accusations against Kofsky. It remains to be seen how this revelation will impact Vance and his team as they navigate this challenging situation.
—
The Independent:
– Title: Vance Policy Adviser’s Online Drug Posts Unveiled
– Date: Thursday, 17 October 2024
– URL: [The Independent – UK Edition](https://www.independent.co.uk)