When Kevin McCarthy’s name was circulated for months as a “dark horse candidate” to become Donald Trump’s chief of staff, the former Speaker of the House didn’t accept the possibility, but he also didn’t deny his interest.
His non-commitment was part of a long tradition in Washington that went into overdrive ahead of Trump’s second inauguration. Choosing or accepting a role is just guesswork.
Simply put, if the buzz doesn’t lead to new jobs, it might lead to new business, even if you appear close to power. Being mentioned to management is just as good as getting the job.
This phenomenon is a typical part of the launch of a new government, but few are willing to admit that this is a tactic they have used. A new cast of characters are roaming town trying to get close to the upcoming White House so they can raise huge sums of money from those trying to influence policy decisions. McCarthy isn’t into lobbying, but his rise to a powerful White House position can’t hurt his newfound paid speaking engagements.
Lobbyists and business consultants, in particular, try to sell every possible connection to the president’s inner circle. Jeff Forbes, a political operative who founded the lobbying firm Forbes Tate Partners, said the practice is a common PR strategy for those trying to grow their business downtown.
“This is one of the oldest games in Washington.” said the lobbyist. “The best and worst case scenarios you choose will make you seem pretty attractive to potential clients.”
For those with legitimate knowledge of Trump’s trajectory, there is no better time than the present. Ivan Adler, a recruiter known as the “lobbyist hunter,” said there is a great thirst for people with connections to the next president. In fact, business on K Street was so good during Trump’s last administration that lobbyists close to him were able to set up a successful and sustainable shop in Washington. Among them were Brian Ballard and Jeff Miller, who would later become some of the biggest names on K Street.
Another twist: When a lobbyist’s colleagues are selected for prominent positions in the administration, that lobbyist’s stock also rises. Connections within the White House are a tremendous asset you can offer to potential clients. So personnel decisions can have a big ripple effect on who moves up and who moves down on K Street.
One longtime Republican lobbyist spoke freely on condition of anonymity. “Everyone has a different approach to marketing, but that’s what marketing is,” he said. “It’s a very old story.”
Some names often seem to make the rounds ahead of the Republican inauguration. Among them is Wayne Berman, who leads Blackstone’s government affairs team and was recently named deputy Treasury secretary. Former Trump Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, who works as a policy advisor for the large lobbying firm Brownstein Hyatt Faber Schreck, was mentioned as a candidate for chief of staff. ), the Attorney General or the Home Secretary.
“Being perceived as connected to a new crowd is good for business and social invitations,” said Bruce Mehlman, a Republican lobbyist who runs his own store, emphasizing that this is not a tactic he has used. “It’s just what we know.”
DC’s strategy of getting its name in the media has a long history. But that can be a risky play, especially under Trump, since putting one’s own ambitions before the president or before him is one of the most serious sins.
Trump is notoriously hostile to those who allegedly leaked information to the media, and Trump allies have expressed deep skepticism about people who leaked their names to the media. It’s a powerful marketing strategy, but it doesn’t have real impact, Trump officials said.
“People use the diversion to build profiles, knowing full well that they have no chance of being part of it,” said one former campaign official. “I think people should be skeptical when they read the name.”
Besides receiving an immediate paycheck, there are other benefits to getting your name in the media. Get invited to exclusive parties and gain bragging rights among your peers. Trump supporters recently received a message to the Secretary of Agriculture saying Rep. Thomas Massey’s (R-Ky.) name was being circulated and scoffed at the suggestion, said a former campaign official who was granted anonymity to speak freely, adding: Massie supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the Republican primary and is trying to rehabilitate his image, the person suggested. (A representative for Massi did not respond to a request for comment.)
“The people who float their names are not in the mix,” said one former Trump administration staffer who is now a lobbyist. Typically, such people are not as “close to the center” as others would have them believe. “I think there are a lot of those types in this administration.”
Even before the election, people close to McCarthy had suggested that the former speaker was content with his new position outside the government and that his name was still being talked about in various positions.
“I still think he’s pretty happy,” said a person close to McCarthy.
Even after McCarthy swaps the gavel for a different kind of speaker, he can still reap the rewards. The former California congressman enlisted an organization to help him secure speaking engagements. Among his clients are the American Hospital Association, French bank BNP Paribas and snack industry trade association SNAC International.
McCarthy has spent years trying to get back into Trump’s good graces after their relationship broke down after Trump publicly said he was at least partially responsible for the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. The juice in Washington has dried up considerably.
But recently McCarthy has repaired ties with the president-elect. And having his name nominated for chief of staff gave him a new kind of relevance.
