{
  "id": 14921161,
  "title": "Solidigm Hires Trump-Tied Lobbying Firm",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/solidigm-hires-trump-tied-lobbying-firm",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-16T09:44:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BusinessKorea",
    "slug": "businesskorea",
    "url": "https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=279018"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Solidigm, a U.S. subsidiary of SK hynix, has recently hired the prominent lobbying firm Ballard Partners, according to a congressional disclosure made on October 15. The company announced on October 14 that they had appointed Ballard Partners as of September 24. Ballard Partners, considered the most influential lobbying firm in Washington during Trump's second term, employs figures with close ties to former President Trump. CEO Brian Ballard, for instance, handled lobbying for the Trump Organization in Florida. Notable former White House and U.S. Attorney General officials, including Susie Wiles and Pam Bondi, have experience working at Ballard Partners, suggesting a strong connection to key administration figures. The firm is led by CEO Brian Ballard, who personally handles Solidigm's lobbying efforts. Other registered lobbyists include former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz’s chief of staff, Thomas Boodry, a former White House National Security Council legislative affairs director, and Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, a former deputy director of the Director of National Intelligence. Their areas of focus include 'U.S. memory semiconductor manufacturing policy' and 'compliance issues with foreign investment regulations.' The move is seen as a strategic decision to strengthen Solidigm's government relations ahead of its potential U.S. stock market listing. However, the firm's involvement also raises concerns about a potential 'dual listing' of Solidigm, considering SK Group's complex corporate governance structure.",
  "summary": "Solidigm, the U.S. subsidiary of SK hynix, has hired a lobbying firm with deep ties to close associates of U.S. President Donald Trump.According to a U.S. congressional lobbying disclosure on Oct. 15 (local time), Solidigm announced on Oct. 14 that it had appointed the lobbying firm Ballard Partners",
  "key_points": [
    "Solidigm hires Ballard Partners, Trump-tied lobbying firm",
    "Ballard Partners led by CEO Brian Ballard, ex-Trump Organization lobbyist",
    "Focus on U.S. memory semiconductor policy and foreign investment regulations"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}