Donald Trump has blacklisted lobbyist Brian Ballard following an XRP promotion incident. This case underscores the influence of lobbying in politics.
Trump Blacklists Brian Ballard
In March 2025, Donald Trump blacklisted Brian Ballard after orchestrated XRP promotion via a Truth Social post. Trump felt manipulated by Ballard, who is connected to Ripple Labs. The post discussed the idea of establishing a US crypto reserve that would include XRP, Solana, and Cardano.
No Impact on XRP Markets
Despite Trump's actions against Ballard, the XRP market has not faced significant repercussions from the blacklist. No official delisting or regulatory actions against the XRP token have been observed, suggesting that the situation's impact on the cryptocurrency is minimal at this point.
Rare Political Blacklist for Crypto Promotion
The instance of a lobbyist being placed on a blacklist for cryptocurrency promotion is a rare occurrence in politics. While lobbying has historically influenced high-profile decisions, public blacklisting for such efforts is not common. Experts indicate that further developments involving Ripple's political connections might lead to shifts in digital asset policies.
The incident involving Trump and Ballard highlights the complex relationship between lobbying and cryptocurrencies, emphasizing the importance of the political context in the industry.