Donald Trump’s threats against corporations often end the same way: those same companies turning to his allies for lobbying support. From Amazon to drug makers, banks, and tech giants, firms that find themselves in Trump’s crosshairs have quickly enlisted his friends, donors, or family connections as their Washington representatives. The result is a booming influence industry where presidential pressure directly fuels lobbying contracts.
Read: California Faces $12M Sex Education Funding Loss as Trump Admin Targets LGBTQ+ Lessons
Amazon Faces Trump Pressure
During his 2016 campaign, Trump targeted Amazon, accusing it of dodging taxes and facing “anti-trust problems.” He warned, “If I become president, oh, do they have problems. They’re going to have such problems.” When Trump won the presidency, Amazon swiftly hired Brian Ballard, Trump’s longtime lawyer, major donor, and Florida finance director, as its lobbyist. The company also contributed more than $50,000 to Trump’s inauguration. This move set the tone for how businesses would respond to Trump’s attacks.
Also read: ICE Arrests In New York Surge Past 2024 Totals As Trump Crackdown Escalates
Shakedown Politics Explained
This dynamic, where threats from politicians push corporations to hire their allies, is not entirely new. Previous Democratic leaders, including Barack Obama and Chuck Schumer, engaged in similar tactics. But under Trump, the practice is more blatant. Washington’s regulatory and taxation powers give the president leverage, and Trump has consistently used that leverage to benefit his circle of friends and allies.
Also read: Lisa Cook Refuses to Step Down as Trump Pressures Fed Over Mortgage Fraud Claims
Wiles Family Influence
Lobbying firms tied to the daughters of Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, have thrived under his administration. Caroline Wiles became vice president of federal affairs at Rubin, Turnbull & Associates, while Katie Wiles joined Continental Strategies. Soon after, industries under Trump’s pressure began hiring these firms. For instance, PhRMA, the drug industry’s powerful lobby, enlisted Rubin, Turnbull & Associates after Trump and his health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., threatened to impose tariffs and price cuts on drug makers.
Also read: 55 Million US Visa Holders at Risk of Deportation Under Trump’s Sweeping Scrutiny
Banking Industry Fallout
In June, the Trump administration imposed harsh sanctions on Mexican bank CIBanco, accusing it of aiding the fentanyl trade. Shortly after, CIBanco, which had never before hired a Washington lobbyist, retained Rubin, Turnbull & Associates. The timing highlighted how Trump’s threats often led foreign and domestic businesses directly to his allies’ lobbying firms.
Also read: Judge Orders Shutdown of Trump’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Over Damage
Brazil Citrus Industry Hit
Trump’s trade policies have similarly impacted international industries. This summer, he announced a 50 percent tariff on all Brazilian imports, causing what reports described as “havoc in Brazil’s citrus belt.” Brazil, which exports nearly half of its orange juice to the U.S., suddenly saw its market threatened. Soon after, Federcitrus, Brazil’s citrus industry lobby, hired Continental Strategies, further underscoring the lobbying boom tied to Trump’s policies.
Also read: SC Allows Trump Admin to Cancel $783M in NIH Research Funding
Tech Firms Under Scrutiny
American technology companies have also felt Trump’s pressure. In the spring, Trump announced a ban on Nvidia selling its AI microchips to China. Around the same time, Nvidia set up its own in-house lobbying operation, bringing in Stewart Barber, a former Trump White House staffer, as one of its registered lobbyists. This move mirrored Amazon’s earlier strategy of securing Trump-world insiders.
Also read: Smartmatic Executives Accused of Stealing Millions in LA Voting Contract Scandal
Ballard Partners’ Record Gains
Brian Ballard’s firm emerged as one of the biggest winners of Trump’s presidency. In the first full quarter of his second administration, Ballard Partners broke the record for the highest lobbying revenue in a single quarter, even when adjusted for inflation. His client list grew to include companies Trump had publicly criticized, such as JPMorgan Chase, Axel Springer, the parent of Politico, and PBS, which Trump has sought to defund.
Also read: Judge Orders Shutdown of Trump’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Over Damage
Old Tactics, New Scale
While Trump’s aggressive style is unusual, the underlying pattern is familiar. Presidents and congressional leaders have long used federal power to pressure companies into compliance. Under Trump, however, the system is more transparent: companies either hire his allies, write campaign checks, or support his political agenda in order to survive regulatory threats.