STAT+: Lobbying firms with close ties to Trump draw pharma industry clients

STAT News · Feb 23, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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Pharma companies spent big on Trump-connected firms in the president’s first year Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Daniel Payne reports on how the health industry and Washington influence and impact each other. He joined STAT in 2025 after covering health care at POLITICO. You can reach Daniel on Signal at danielp.100.Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53. Pharmaceutical giants, seeing a wave of new risks and potential rewards in President Trump’s second term, are boosting their spending on lobbying firms with connections to the White House. Three firms — Checkmate Government Relations, Miller Strategies, and Ballard Partners — stand out. Each of the three, which were identified by lobbyists working for other firms as growing players in the space, saw a boom in business in the first year of Trump’s second term. Most of the 16 companies that have signed drug pricing deals with the White House have contracted with one of the firms. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Washington Correspondent Daniel Payne reports on how the health industry and Washington influence and impact each other. He joined STAT in 2025 after covering health care at POLITICO. You can reach Daniel on Signal at danielp.100. FDA Reporter Lizzy Lawrence leads STAT’s coverage of the Food and Drug Administration. She was previously a medical devices reporter. You can reach Lizzy on Signal at lizzylaw.53.