“Rav Yaakov Kaminetzky ZT”L. He was asked why the dynasties of Chassidim, the talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov, and their talmidim still have individuals who are leaders in Klal Yisroel, talmidei chachomim and ovdei Hashem, but that the talmidim of the Vilna Gaon ZT”L do not have anything comparable. Rav Yaakov responded that those talmidim of the Gaon all affixed their signatures to the cheirem against chassidim. The notable exception was Rav Chaim of Volozhin, who is the patriarch of the great Soloveichik family.”
That is a despicable lie. I don’t believe Rav Yaakov zt”l said it. He was a man of truth. It is a Chassidishe bubba mayseh.
There are leaders in Klal Yisroel from the camp of the GRA. But not everyone advertises their yichus. Some feel that they are not worthy of being associated with such a great gadol. They are humble. Among some others it is more common to advertise yichus.
Rav Moshe Shternbuch shlita is a descendant of the GRA by the way.