Rich in Resources, Poor in Aid: Trump Lobbyists Cash In

When USAID funding diminished following Trump-era reforms, a series of low-income countries looked for creative fixes—or paying lobbyists. The result: eleven nations funneled millions to lobby firms with strong ties to Donald Trump.
Somalia, Yemen, and the DRC each signed multimillion-dollar contracts that essentially trade natural assets—like minerals—for the attention and support of Washington policymakers. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s $1.2 million deal with Ballard Partners seeks security and investment guarantees in return for access to cobalt and lithium.
Meanwhile, Somalia and Yemen combined have spent nearly $1 million on BGR Government Affairs, and Pakistan now commits almost half a million monthly to retain Trump-affiliated emissaries like Keith Schiller.
Humanitarian watchdogs argue this signals a shift from altruistic aid to resource-driven bargaining—where aid becomes currency in an extractive game.