In early March, a post on Truth Social by President Donald Trump promoting a “Crypto Strategic Reserve” sparked significant interest in the United States. However, this attention quickly turned into backlash for one of Washington, D.C.’s most influential lobbyists, Brian Ballard.
Truth Social Post Drama
According to a report from Politico, the inspiration for the post emerged from a staff member at Ballard’s lobbying firm following a weekend donor event at Mar-a-Lago. This staff member allegedly encouraged Trump to publicly support the crypto industry and even suggested specific phrasing for the post.
Unbeknownst to Trump at the time, Ripple, which had its XRP token referenced in the post, was a client of Ballard’s firm. CEO Brad Garlinghouse has been outspoken about wanting XRP to be included in the proposed digital asset reserve.
Upon discovering this connection, Trump reportedly expressed his outrage, stating that “He is not welcome in anything anymore” regarding Ballard. Consequently, staff were instructed to minimize interactions with him, effectively isolating him from the White House.
Despite the turbulence, since Trump’s return to power, Ballard Partners has seen an influx of new business, acquiring 130 new clients and generating $14 million in revenue during the first quarter of 2025, more than triple what it earned in the same timeframe the previous year.
Nevertheless, voices within Trump’s circle have raised concerns that Ballard might be overstepping. They suspect he may be leveraging his historical ties to the President to attract clients, even as those connections weaken.
“One way to get yourself in the doghouse is for the President to think you are trading on his name,” noted one Trump ally, emphasizing that Ballard exaggerates his “importance and value.”
Ballard Denies Accusations
In light of the criticisms, the 65-year-old lobbyist has denied being sidelined. He stated, “I have never touted my relationships with people in the West Wing to try to win clients.” A spokesperson for his firm defended their actions, asserting they did not intend to mislead Trump with the social media post. Nonetheless, the incident has reportedly led to some of his clients exploring alternative avenues to connect with Trump and his advisors.
Since establishing his Washington office in 2017, Ballard has risen to prominence in the lobbying world, playing a crucial role in raising tens of millions for Trump’s campaigns. His firm also employed key figures from Trump’s circle, further highlighting his influence and connections.
The post Trump’s Ripple (XRP) Post Fallout: How the White House Sidelined Lobbyist (Report) first appeared on CryptoPotato.
