K Street’s Trump Boom
From crypto companies to defense contractors, new lobbying clients steered $145 million to firms led by Trump insiders in the first year of his return to power.
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These Cities and States Hold Contracts With ICE
More than a dozen governments, many with “welcoming city” policies, still hold active contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Companies ‘Honor’ Trump With Kennedy Center Donations
From defense to oil to tech, new companies are supporting the Kennedy Center since Trump’s takeover while others are revising their disclosure practices to explicitly honor the president.
Foreign Interests Are Paying Millions to a Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm
Ballard Partners’ foreign-interest lobbying business has boomed since Trump took office, signing up new clients from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Albania, Uzbekistan, and more.
Crypto, AI, and AIPAC Set up to Smash Super PAC Spending Records
The groups are sitting on massive war chests for 2026 midterms, according to new disclosures.
Hudson River Park Trust to End Longstanding ICE Contract Following Sludge Report
After contracting with ICE since 2004, the Trust tells Sludge it will stop when the current contract ends in June.
No Labels’ Israel Push Follows Foreign Agent Work by Spouse’s Firm
The group's leader is married to Mark Penn, whose Stagwell Group companies have recently been working as registered foreign agents for Israel.
The Companies Behind ICE
Sludge built an interactive map of every ICE contractor working with the Trump administration.
GOP Leader’s Family Buys xAI Stock Days Before Pentagon Integration
House Republican Conference chairwoman Lisa McClain disclosed the purchase made just days before the Pentagon announced a major integration with xAI.
GOP Stock Trading Bill Leaves Glaring Conflicts Untouched
Senators and reps could continue to hold stock in companies they oversee on their committees under a GOP leadership-backed stock bill that is being fast-tracked through the House.