Brian Ballard's lobbying firm reported $19.3 million in fees in 2024. Ballard reported $88.1 million in 2025, with his former managing partner Susie Wiles as Trump's chief of staff.
Ballard Partners reported another $98.1 million through September this year, according to OpenSecrets, from the firm's lobbying disclosures. Ballard has now reported $186 million in 21 months, 2.6 times what the firm reported in all four years of Trump's first term. CBS News found Tuesday that 2025 was the biggest year any lobbying firm has reported since 1996, adjusted for inflation.
Ballard averaged $17.7 million a year in Trump's first term and $17.6 million a year under Biden. The firm reported the same with Trump in power as with Trump out. Its jump came only in this term, when its client list grew from 170 to 399.
One Ballard client also wrote checks to Trump's super PAC.
