How the White House Sidelined Lobbyist (Report)

In early March, a Fact Social publish by President Donald Trump selling a “Crypto Strategic Reserve” went viral in america.

Nonetheless, inside hours of its going up, the publish backfired on one among Washington, D.C.’s most well-connected lobbyists, Brian Ballard.

Fact Social Put up Drama

In line with a report from Politico, the concept for the publish got here from a workers member at Ballard’s lobbying agency who had spoken to Trump a number of occasions throughout a weekend donor occasion at Mar-a-Lago. She allegedly urged the president to again the crypto trade publicly and even instructed the language he would use.

Unknown to Trump on the time, Ripple, whose native XRP token was mentioned within the message, was a consumer of Ballard’s agency. CEO Brad Garlinghouse has made no secret of his want to see XRP included in a proposed digital asset reserve.

As soon as the President realized of the connection, he was livid. “He’s not welcome in something anymore,” Trump reportedly instructed White Home associates later that month, referring to Ballard.

Consequently, workers had been allegedly quietly directed to keep away from conferences with him, successfully freezing him out of the West Wing.

Since Trump’s return to energy, Ballard Companions has gained 130 new clients. The agency earned $14 million within the first three months of 2025, greater than thrice what it made in the identical interval final 12 months.

Nonetheless, some folks in Trump’s circle now consider the affect peddler has gone too far. In line with Politico, they assume he makes use of his previous ties to the President and his group to get extra purchasers, although these relationships will not be as shut as he claims.

“One option to get your self within the doghouse is for the President to assume you’re buying and selling on his title,” one Trump ally instructed the media outlet, including that the lobbyist overstates his “significance and worth.”

Ballard Denies Accusations

In a press release to the media outlet, the 65-year-old rejected the criticisms and denied that he has been sidelined. “I’ve by no means touted my relationships with folks within the West Wing to attempt to win purchasers,” he famous.

Concerning the Fact Social incident, somebody from his group mentioned they by no means tried to trick Trump with the message. Regardless of this, the state of affairs appears to have brought on Ballard some bother together with his enterprise. Just a few of his purchasers have reportedly begun in search of different routes to realize entry to the President and his advisers.

After opening his Washington workplace in 2017, Ballard shortly grew to become one of many metropolis’s most profitable lobbyists. He’s a well known determine in Trump’s world, having helped increase tens of tens of millions of {dollars} for the politician’s campaigns.

He additionally used to characterize the Trump Group, and his agency additionally employed two of the President’s shut allies, Susie Wiles and Pam Bondi.