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Clients of Lobbying Firm with Ties to Trump Keep Spending at Trump Properties
Walter Shaub RetweetedNew from @CREWcrew: Ballard, a lobbying firm staffed by multiple former Trump associates, has clients that spend heavily at Trump properties. We now have to ask if a lobbying group is encouraging clients to pay the President’s business for influence.
Link to tweet
CLIENTS OF TRUMP-TIED LOBBYING FIRM BALLARD PARTNERS KEEP SPENDING AT TRUMP PROPERTIES
By Caitlin Moniz
March 29, 2019
Since President Trump took office, visiting and spending money at his properties—especially his Washington, DC hotel—has emerged as an apparent influence strategy. It comes as no surprise that special interests may see this patronage as an appeal to the president, given that he has continued to promote his businesses while in office.
Clients of lobbying firm Ballard Partners seem to be hosting events at Trump properties especially often. Ballard is known for being close to the Trump administration, and it has become a top firm for special interests seeking access to the president.
At the very least, the fact that their clients keep holding events at Trump properties provides more evidence that patronizing Trump’s properties correlates with trying to influence him on policy. It also raises the possibility that lobbyists who are close to Trump view spending money at his properties as an effective influence tactic, and promote it as one to their clients.
Earlier this month, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), an energy interest and political group, hosted a reception at Trump International Hotel – Washington, DC. The gathering accompanied a “fly-in” that brought 56 state advocates to the Hill to meet with Members of Congress. EPA and Department of Energy staffers stopped by the hotel to talk energy with the fly-in attendees, who stayed at the hotel, too.
....
By Caitlin Moniz
March 29, 2019
Since President Trump took office, visiting and spending money at his properties—especially his Washington, DC hotel—has emerged as an apparent influence strategy. It comes as no surprise that special interests may see this patronage as an appeal to the president, given that he has continued to promote his businesses while in office.
Clients of lobbying firm Ballard Partners seem to be hosting events at Trump properties especially often. Ballard is known for being close to the Trump administration, and it has become a top firm for special interests seeking access to the president.
At the very least, the fact that their clients keep holding events at Trump properties provides more evidence that patronizing Trump’s properties correlates with trying to influence him on policy. It also raises the possibility that lobbyists who are close to Trump view spending money at his properties as an effective influence tactic, and promote it as one to their clients.
Earlier this month, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), an energy interest and political group, hosted a reception at Trump International Hotel – Washington, DC. The gathering accompanied a “fly-in” that brought 56 state advocates to the Hill to meet with Members of Congress. EPA and Department of Energy staffers stopped by the hotel to talk energy with the fly-in attendees, who stayed at the hotel, too.
....