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In the quest for influence in Donald Trump’s Washington, Brian Ballard is becoming a go-to figure, elbowing aside rivals as companies and organisations seek access to the famously transactional president’s White House.
Ballard Partners, which counts Trump cabinet members Susie Wiles and Pam Bondi among its alumni, is on track to more than double its 2024 revenue this year, with its first-quarter takings up 236 per cent on the same period last year. The firm is expanding its Washington office — and it is hiring.
“We’re going to continue to grow,” said Ballard. “I hope we’re never going to be showy or braggadocio, but humbly, do our work and serve our clients’ interests.”
The firm’s hot start to the year has catapulted Ballard Partners to the top tier of influence shops in Trump’s Washington, alongside bigger firms such as Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
Its federal filing this week shows it has amassed a list of clients across a range of industries from major banks and crypto companies to healthcare, oil and tobacco giants, tech, media and telecommunication titans, Hollywood studios and sports leagues.
Ballard built his practice in Florida and became a fundraiser for the Republican presidential nominees in 2008, 2012 and 2016. After Trump’s 2016 win, the firm opened a Washington practice with 21 clients — it now has more than 200.
Over time, the firm expanded to California, Israel, Turkey, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, but Ballard maintains its “DNA” comes from his early experience as a lobbyist during Florida’s 60-day legislative sessions.
“We had 60 days to get things done. At the end of 60 days, you either had a W or an L,” he said. “The DNA of our firm is that: you win or lose.”
Today Ballard is adding 5,000 sq ft to its Washington office as it looks to solve thorny issues with the White House for a growing number of clients.
They include TikTok, which the Trump administration is trying to bring under US ownership, as well as Paramount, which the president has sued over a CBS interview of Kamala Harris, as the company seeks to merge with David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
Many businesses are seeking tax relief ahead of the expiry this year of a number of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. “I do think the bulk of the Trump tax cuts are going to be made permanent,” said Ballard. “But they are looking for things to pay for that, and that’s where the fight is.”
Ballard is also representing some public and private colleges and universities, as the White House threatens to cut federal aid over charges of antisemitism on campuses. Among them is Harvard, which is suing the Trump administration over its decision to freeze billions in grants.
“We try to give advice on this new climate,” said Ballard. “The DEI stuff went too far. And you know it, it’s a big part of the problem. We’ve turned down a number of universities because we didn’t think we could be helpful to their cause.”
“They have to make a determination whether they want to figure out a way to work with this administration on keeping campuses safe for students — all students.”
Many of Ballard’s clients are also seeking protection against Trump’s trade policies after he announced wide-ranging “reciprocal” tariffs on April 2 — which he dubbed “liberation day”. After markets plunged in response to the measures, the president announced a 90-day pause for most countries (China was an exception) to allow them to negotiate bespoke deals with the administration.
“We were hopeful that there would be a suspension . . . to let deals happen,” said Ballard. “We’re just delighted that the administration did that.”
“It seems like President Trump’s been president for years, but he’s only returned to the White House, less than 100 days [ago],” said Ballard.
“And the activity is such a whirlwind that we just, we try to get people to be patient. We try to make sure that they don’t try to overshoot.”
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