Latest news with #Influence
Politico
5 days ago
- Business
- Politico
Trump DOE alum signs California utility company
With help from Daniel Lippman A note to our readers: Starting on Thursday, your longtime author Caitlin will pair with reporter Daniel Barnes to write Influence. Daniel covers Big Law and lobbying and joined us from NBC News in March. This is important: If you've got a tip or feedback going forward, please be sure to email Caitlin (coprysko@ and Daniel (dbarnes@ both. NEW BUSINESS: Pacific Gas & Electric Company has retained a former Energy Department official who worked in the first Trump administration to lobby on funding issues, according to a disclosure filing. Mountain View Partners' Dwayne Bolton served as a congressional liaison at DOE during President Donald Trump's first term before joining the department's Office of Economic Impact and Diversity and Office of Environmental Management. — Bolton began lobbying for the California utility giant in June at the height of negotiations over the phaseout of clean energy tax credits in the GOP megabill and uncertainty about the fate of financing secured during the Biden administration. — Days before Trump took office, the Energy Department finalized a $15 billion loan guarantee for PG&E for investments in hydropower and battery storage projects as well as grid improvements. It was the largest loan ever for DOE's Loan Programs Office. Despite the guarantee, PG&E asked California regulators to approve a rate hike earlier this year due in part to 'uncertainty' about its fate. — Meanwhile, a group of pilots that is pushing to raise the mandatory retirement age brought on a new outside lobbying firm last month ahead of a big win for the cause. Let Experienced Pilots Fly retained Florida lobbyist Ward Blakely of Blue Tusk Communications last month to advocate for bumping the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots from 65 to 67 in an effort to address pilot shortages. — The week after Blakely began working on behalf of the group, a bipartisan group of senators — including Majority Leader John Thune and former astronaut Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) — urged the Trump administration to take a more active role at the International Civil Aviation Organization. That group sets safety standards for the global aviation industry and has broached the idea of raising the recommended pilot retirement age. — A few days later, Trump nominated retired Delta Air Lines pilot Jeffrey Anderson — who previously consulted for the pilots group — to fill the vacant post of U.S. ambassador to the ICAO. The choice of Anderson, however, quickly drew a rebuke from the Air Line Pilots Association. Happy Wednesday and welcome to PI, where your host couldn't be more pumped to have Daniel Barnes come aboard to help chronicle the daily goings on on K Street. Shoot him a note to say hello and — again — be sure to send us both (I'm not going anywhere!) your influence scoops and tips. You can add me on Signal at caitlinoprysko.17 and email me at coprysko@ and you can add Daniel on Signal at danielbarnes.13 and email Daniel at dbarnes@ And follow us on X: @caitlinoprysko and @dnlbrns. COULD LITIGATION TAX LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY?: Our friends at Inside Congress report this morning that there are rumblings that business groups, conservative advocates and major insurers are making moves to lobby Hill Republicans around reviving the push to impose a tax on litigation financing. — A proposal championed by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) would levy a 40.8 percent tax on the profits from litigation funding agreements that supporters say could prevent more frivolous lawsuits. It fell out of the GOP's party-line policy package earlier this year for not complying with Senate rules. — 'We'll see if they can make changes to pass muster with the parliamentarian this next go-around or if they'll have to search for another vehicle to get this fix past the finish line,' John Shelton, policy director for Advancing American Freedom — the nonprofit group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence — told Benjamin Guggenheim. — The litigation funding industry will have more lobbying firepower from the get-go if the issue is revived, having brought on three new outside lobbying firms during the reconciliation fight. — They include OnMessage Public Strategies, the lobbying arm of the GOP consulting firm that has been paid tens of millions of dollars by Tillis' campaigns during his congressional career, per FEC records; Checkmate Government Relations, which is led by the brother of Rep. Addison McDowell (R-N.C.); and Red Maple Consulting, which is run by the former chief of staff to Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.). WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE: Common Cause, 'the nation's most prominent anti-gerrymandering organization,' has found itself in the middle of 'a tense internal debate over whether to modify its position opposing all partisan redistricting, a remarkable development in response to a gerrymandering war that has broken out across the nation,' according to The Christian Science Monitor's Cameron Joseph. — 'It's a sign that after two decades of hard-won progress against partisan line-drawing, the movement is facing an existential crisis. … On Monday night, after a meeting by the organization's national governing board, the group's president and CEO Virginia Kase Solomón emailed organization leaders asking them not to make any new statements on gerrymandering until the board issued further guidance, which she said would come later this week.' — 'The request to stand down comes as Democrats in California are pushing to temporarily suspend the state's independent redistricting commission to allow them to draw five or more new Democratic-leaning House districts.' The move, which 'would undo anti-gerrymandering reforms that Common Cause helped make law in 2010,' comes as GOP lawmakers in Texas and other red states mull their own redistricting plans ahead of the midterms. ANNALS OF BIG FIRE: 'Fire retardant, the reddish liquid dropped from planes to slow spreading flames, has become an indispensable tool for saving lives and property from more frequent and intense wildfires. But the entire supply of the product in the United States is controlled by a single company,' The New York Times' Chris Hamby reports, thanks to 'an extensive lobbying and public-relations campaign' carried out by that company, Perimeter Solutions. — The push has 'undercut would-be rivals, even as government officials have voiced concerns about the risks of relying on one source for such an essential product' and allowed Perimeter to leverage its 'dominance to boost profits at the expense of federal and state government agencies — its biggest customers.' CBA ADDS 3: The Consumer Brands Association has added Lauren Berkowitz as director and legal counsel, Susanna Blair as senior director of regulatory and technical affairs and Will Grassle as packaging and sustainability policy manager. Berkowitz spent the past 16 years at FDA, most recently as a policy analyst and regulatory counsel in the Office of Foods & Veterinary Medicine and Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition. — Blair most recently worked in EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, and Grassle was most recently an associate for circularity policies and programs at the Product Stewardship Institute. INTEL IN THE HOT SEAT: 'U.S. Republican Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel's board chair on Wednesday with questions about the chipmaker's new CEO Lip-Bu Tan's ties to Chinese firms and a recent criminal case involving his former company Cadence Design,' per Reuters' Max Cherney. — 'Writing to 'express concern about the security and integrity of Intel's operations and its potential impact on U.S. national security,' Cotton asked in the letter to Intel chairperson Frank Yeary whether the company's board was aware of the subpoenas sent to Cadence during Tan's time there as CEO before Intel hired him.' — 'He also asked whether Intel's board required Tan to divest from chip firms in China linked to the Chinese military or Communist Party, and if Tan adequately disclosed other ties to Chinese companies due to Intel's involvement in the Secure Enclave program, an initiative designed under the Biden administration to ensure a secure supply of microelectronics for defense.' Jobs report — Jena McNeill has joined The Ingram Group doing Kentucky and federal affairs. She was most recently director of government and legislative relations at East Kentucky Power Cooperative and is a Joni Ernst and Ron Johnson alum. — Former FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel is joining the MIT Media Lab as its executive director. — James Mazzarella is joining the Atlantic Council's Freedom and Prosperity Center as a senior fellow. He previously was a senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and is a National Security Council alum. — Michael Qian is now a partner in the Supreme Court and appellate practice at Haynes Boone. He most recently served as counselor to the attorney general at the Department of Justice. — Kristi Johnson is now comms director for Jordan Wood's Senate campaign in Maine. She previously was rapid response director for the Kamala Harris campaign in Wisconsin and was national press secretary at NextGen America. — RXN has promoted Emma O'Rourke to director of public affairs and Taylor Kotula to chief of staff. — Arun Venkataraman is now a partner at Covington & Burling LLP. He most recently was assistant secretary of commerce for global markets and director general of the U.S. and foreign commercial service at the International Trade Administration. — Zunera Mazhar is now vice president of policy at The Digital Chamber. She previously was deputy director and deputy chief innovation officer at FDIC. — Ben Cassidy has launched Fifth Wave, a government affairs and strategic advisory firm focused on conservation, infrastructure and public-private partnerships. He most recently was chief policy officer at Nature Is Nonpartisan. — Lily Israel has been promoted to be senior legislative analyst at GrayRobinson. New Joint Fundraisers Burchett Luna Victory Fund (Reps. Tim Burchett, Anna Paulina Luna) New PACs Allina Venture Inc (Hybrid PAC) Chaos Industries Inc Political Action Committee (CHAOS PAC) (PAC) Get's It Done PAC (Super PAC) Valley-Westside United PAC (Super PAC) New Lobbying REGISTRATIONS Corcoran & Associates, Inc. Dba Corcoran Partners: Impsa International, Inc Corrigan & USsery LLC: Solstice Advanced Materials US, Inc Hahn Lobbying And Consulting, LLC: Veterans Guardian Hb Strategies: Wp Construction And Mining Mercury Public Affairs, LLC: Bank Of America Corporation Mercury Public Affairs, LLC: Lam Research Corporation Rich Feuer Anderson: National Installment Lenders Association Shw Partners LLC: Divergent Technologies, Inc. Sl Strategies, LLC: University Of Texas Medical Branch Telegraph Avenue Advisors: Specialty Equipment Market Association The Mcmanus Group: Royal Biologics Zero Mile Strategies: Inc. Zero Mile Strategies: Skysafe New Lobbying Terminations Aduston Consulting, LLC: Rai Services Company Ameliorate LLC: Jewish Family & Children'S Services Ballentine Strategies: Electronic Payments Coalition C6 Strategies, LLC (Fka Ms. Dana W. Hudson): Aeon Industrial C6 Strategies, LLC (Fka Ms. Dana W. Hudson): Scola Corrigan & USsery LLC: Honeywell International, Inc. Gallant Government & Law Group, LLC: Klein Law Group Pllc On Behalf Of Highline Lantheus Holdings, Inc.: Lantheus Holdings, Inc. One Action: One Action Perspective Strategies: Brightstar Care
The Intercept
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Intercept
The Disinformation Machine After a Murder
In the wake of the political assassination of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, prominent right-wing figures moved quickly to assign blame. Utah Sen. Mike Lee pinned the killings on 'Marxism.' Elon Musk pointed to the 'far left.' Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, said it 'seems to be a leftist.' But the facts quickly told a different story: The suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter is a Trump supporter who held radical anti-abortion views. 'There's an entire right-wing media machine aimed at pushing disinformation around breaking news events and specifically attributing violence to the left,' says Taylor Lorenz, independent journalist and author of 'Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet.' 'You see this over and over and over again, no matter who is perpetrating the violence.' 'The reality is that the vast overwhelming majority of political violence in recent years has come from the right,' adds Akela Lacy, The Intercept's senior politics reporter. 'It basically treats that fact as if it's not real, as if it doesn't exist,' she says — a dynamic that then fails to address the root causes. This week on The Intercept Briefing, host Jordan Uhl talks with Lorenz and Lacy about how online disinformation is distorting public understanding of major events — from political violence to immigration to potential war with Iran. In this chaos-driven ecosystem, the right — and Trump especially — know how to thrive. 'There are these right-wing influencer networks that exist to amplify misinformation and shape narratives online,' says Lorenz. 'A lot of them coordinate, literally directly coordinate through group chats,' she explains. 'They receive messaging directly from leaders in the Republican Party that they immediately disseminate.' That messaging loop reinforces itself — seeping into mainstream culture, dominating social media, and driving Trump's policies. Lacy points to a striking example: Democratic Sen. Tina Smith from Minnesota confronting Lee over his false claim that the shooter was a Marxist, and his apparent surprise at being held accountable. ' There's no reason that a sitting U.S. senator is spreading these lies, should not expect to be confronted by his colleagues over something like this. And that says volumes about the environment on the Hill,' says Lacy. But this right-wing narrative war doesn't work without help to boost their legitimacy. 'These manufactured outrage campaigns are not successful unless they're laundered by the traditional media,' says Lorenz. 'If the New York Times or the BBC or NPR — which is one of the worst — don't launder those campaigns and pick those campaigns up, they kind of don't go anywhere.' You can hear the full conversation of The Intercept Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Montreal Gazette
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Montreal Gazette
St-Victor: Juliette Powell never stood still, whether on MusiquePlus or tech's cutting edge
I'm a romantic and believe that television's golden age is yet to come, and that the medium's death has been greatly exaggerated. Still, while it may be hard to believe now, once upon a time television unified people every day, at the same time and not on demand. TV was about daily rendezvous, not just when it was time for sports spectacles and year-end shows. Quebec TV is unique. These daily rendezvous still exist, and beyond game shows and newscasts. In addition to those staples, the province produces high-quality, addictive televised fiction, like Radio-Canada's Stat and Dumas. At another time, for another generation, the daily rendezvous included everything and anything that aired on MusiquePlus. The U.S. had MTV, and the rest of Canada had MuchMusic. MTV became an unavoidable stop for artists and politicians alike, including a presidential candidate named Bill Clinton, who created one of the most memorable moments of his 1992 campaign on the channel. It wasn't that much different here in Quebec: MusiquePlus was a must for both international and local stars, who used the network to première their videos or announce their tours. Hosts emerged who thrived beyond their departure from the channel, which stopped airing in 2019, and who remain influential staples of our media landscape, like Anne-Marie Withenshaw and Rebecca Makonnen. Also on the MusiquePlus roster of hosts was Juliette Powell, who died June 3 of acute bacterial meningitis, a few weeks shy of her 55th birthday. I met her in 2009, not long after she released her book 33 Million People in the Room: How to Create, Influence, and Run a Successful Business With Social Networking. I interviewed her for a blog, and she was brilliant and generous. She was also an avant-gardist, understanding that social media was going to change everything. In her book, she analyzed Barack Obama's sophisticated usage of social media platforms, which has since become a blueprint for so many aspiring politicians. Powell also had influence. I wonder if she knew what seeing her on the screen meant to so many of us. When a public personality dies, the praise they receive is quite a barometer. When news of Powell's passing broke this week, there was an avalanche of love on social media. In addition to the sadness, posts have expressed admiration for a woman who broke many barriers. Sure, she was the first Black Canadian to be named Miss Canada in 1989, but parlaying that into a television gig where she interviewed some of the world's most prominent musical artists was quite a feat. For many of us, she was a star among stars. Did she know it? Possibly not. Local media critics could be brutal and gratuitous. But that's the price when you're one of the first and one of the very few. The impossibly high bar is set not by you, but by those who question whether you belong. MusiquePlus had its share of mediocre VJs. Juliette Powell was not one of them. Those of us who cherished seeing a Black woman on Quebec television knew this. She moved to Toronto in 1996, hosting on MuchMusic and also studying economics, which led to business reporting on television. Her continued thirst for knowledge brought her to New York, where she graduated from Columbia University and recently taught at New York University. She remained one step ahead of most of us, researching and advising on artificial intelligence and ethics in tech. Powell was gorgeous and, honestly, she could have just banked on her looks, but she was too bright and had too much talent and vision for that. She was style and substance. And that, too, had an impact. Did she know? Whether or not she did, Juliette Powell mattered.
The Guardian
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Trump-Musk feud shows what happens when unregulated money floods politics
Elon Musk said, very loudly and very publicly, what is usually the quiet part of the role of money in US politics. 'Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude,' he wrote on his X social media platform amid an ongoing feud with Donald Trump. When rightwing commentator Laura Loomer wrote that Republicans on Capitol Hill had been discussing whom to side with in the inter-party feud, Musk replied with a nod toward the long tail of his influence. 'Oh and some food for thought as they ponder this question: Trump has 3.5 years left as President, but I will be around for 40+ years … ,' Musk wrote on X. Billionaires in the US often seek to influence politics in big and small ways, throwing their money and influence around to extract what they want from the government. But few are as explicit and influential as Musk has proven in the past year – and it's showing just how transactional and broken US governance has become. The Trump-Musk battle exemplifies the post-Citizens United picture of US politics: the world's richest person paid handsomely to elect his favored candidate, then took a formal, if temporary, role with a new governmental initiative created for him that focused on dismantling parts of the government he didn't like. We're sitting ringside to a fight between the mega-rich president and the far richer Republican donor to see who can cut more services from the poor. As one satirical website put it: 'Aw! These Billionaires Are Fighting Over How Much Money to Steal From Poor People.' Fifteen years ago, the US supreme court ruled that corporations and outside groups could spend as much as they wanted on elections. In that ruling, conservative justice Anthony Kennedy said: 'The appearance of influence or access, furthermore, will not cause the electorate to lose faith in our democracy.' In the years since, it's become clear that these infusions of wealth have eroded democracy, with Musk's ostentatious example accelerating an already out-of-control level of money in politics. Musk spent nearly $300m to elect Trump in 2024. It's the billionaire's government now. 'Fifteen years after that decision, we're seeing the full culmination of living under a Citizens United world – where it's not just elections that are for sale, but it's that our entire government, and the apparatus of our government, is up for sale,' Tiffany Muller, the president of End Citizens United, told the Bulwark earlier this year. Musk isn't alone here: in races up and down the ballot, ultra-rich donors are throwing around their cash to get their favored candidates elected. This is the standard state of play for politics in the US now, in both political parties. Bernie Sanders confronted Democrats at their convention last year to say: 'Billionaires in both parties should not be able to buy elections, including primary elections.' Earlier this year, Musk poured big money into a Wisconsin judicial election, but lost to the Democratic candidate. And he's sent small-dollar donations to Republicans who wanted to go after judges who ruled against the Trump administration. The threat of his money, even if it is uneven and has an inconsistent success record, looms large for both political parties. But, by virtue of his unelected role, Musk couldn't do as much as he wanted to stop Trump's signature spending bill – or so it seems so far. Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' didn't cut enough spending or favor Musk enough or otherwise meet his litmus test for a budget. And when the administration stopped working for him, he turned on it, blazing out the door in a chaotic fashion. It's a fitting coda to the uneasy alliance between Trump and Musk that started with a warm embrace and front-row status for the ultra-wealthy when Trump took office. The fact that Musk holds such sway over the budget process is in itself corruption. Trump has said Musk knew what was in the bill, the undertone being that the administration sought his approval before the public explosion. Musk embraced a brawling style of political spending that is rare among the uber-wealthy, who tend to let their money speak louder than their public words. One expert in philanthropy previously told the Guardian Musk stood out because of his 'complete eschewal of discretion as a mode of political engagement'. Musk is now rallying his followers on X to reach out to their members of Congress and kill the bill, a quest that could be successful, depending on how Republican lawmakers shake out when they're forced to decide between their ideologue president and a megadonor known for his vindictiveness. In rightwing media, the feud has created a chasm. On Breitbart, one commentator noted how Trump was 'sticking his finger in the eye of his biggest donor and that never happens'. In the American Spectator, one writer opined that Musk did not elect Trump: 'the American people did.' But in the pages of the Washington Examiner, Musk's stance on the bill was praised because Trump's budget plan 'deserves to die'. 'I don't mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago,' Trump wrote to cap off a series of posts and public comments about Musk. Musk has 'lost his mind', the president said in a TV interview Friday. So far, Republican officials are lining up behind Trump. 'President Trump has done more than any person in my lifetime to earn the trust of the movement he leads,' JD Vance said. If Musk ultimately loses, he could take his money and run elsewhere. He floated the idea of creating a third political party, a prospect that's been tried many times before but without the wealth infusion and bully pulpit he'd offer to the cause. Democrats, themselves quite reliant on rich donors, will lobby for him to switch sides. The Democratic representative Ro Khanna suggested the party should 'be in a dialogue' with Musk. Although Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley and has called for the left to embrace economic populism, saw intense backlash against his comments from his party, he doubled down. 'If Biden had a big supporter criticize him, Trump would have hugged him the next day,' he wrote on X. 'When we refused to meet with @RobertKennedyJr, Trump embraced him & won. We can be the party of sanctimonious lectures, or the party of FDR that knows how to win & build a progressive majority.'
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
6 essential books every professional should read to decode human behaviour and communicate smarter
In today's fast-paced, high-stakes professional environment, understanding human behaviour is more than a soft skill, it's a strategic asset. Whether you're managing teams, negotiating deals, leading change, or building client relationships, the ability to decode why people act the way they do is key to effective communication and sustained influence. While countless theories have emerged over time, a handful of books stand out for their clarity, depth, and real-world application. The six acclaimed titles listed here offer powerful frameworks to help professionals manage complex interpersonal dynamics with greater insight and effectiveness. Whether your goal is to influence ethically, make sounder decisions, or lead with empathy, these books serve as indispensable guides. 1. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – Robert Cialdini Robert Cialdini's Influence introduces six universal principles that drive human decision-making: reciprocity, commitment, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity. These principles help explain how marketers, leaders, and even cults can shape behaviour. Professionals will learn how to apply these tactics responsibly, while also recognising and defending against unethical persuasion. This book is especially valuable for those in marketing, negotiations, and stakeholder engagement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Lo Prado (ver precio) Verisure Alarmas Leer más Undo 2. Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman explores two core modes of thinking in this groundbreaking work: fast, intuitive decision-making and slow, analytical reasoning. Through compelling insights into biases such as confirmation bias and loss aversion, Kahneman helps readers understand how judgment is often flawed, and how to correct it. A must-read for executives, analysts, and decision-makers seeking to improve cognitive clarity and strategic thinking. 3. The Laws of Human Nature – Robert Greene Drawing from psychology, history, and philosophy, Robert Greene examines why people frequently act irrationally and how to respond with emotional intelligence. The Laws of Human Nature offers tools to identify manipulation, manage egos, and convert adversaries into allies. This book is highly relevant for leaders, consultants, and professionals navigating high-stakes or politically sensitive environments. 4. Predictably Irrational – Dan Ariely Behavioural economist Dan Ariely reveals the underlying logic behind seemingly irrational behaviour in areas such as productivity, spending, and decision-making. Predictably Irrational shows how human actions, though often flawed, follow consistent, predictable patterns. Entrepreneurs, economists, product managers, and policy professionals will find valuable, research-driven insights into how people truly think and behave. 5. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie Dale Carnegie's enduring bestseller remains one of the most influential works on relationship-building. With practical techniques like using people's names, showing genuine interest, and listening actively, How to Win Friends and Influence People helps readers foster trust and rapport, both vital for effective leadership and team dynamics. This book is essential for managers, client-facing professionals, and anyone seeking to strengthen workplace communication. 6. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking – Susan Cain Susan Cain's Quiet challenges the extrovert-centric model of leadership by showcasing the unique strengths introverts bring to organisations. From thoughtful problem-solving to deep focus and creativity, Cain reveals why introverts are key to building balanced, high-performing teams. This book is particularly insightful for team leaders, HR professionals, and introverted professionals looking to leverage their natural strengths. Why These Books Matter Human behaviour is complex, but understanding its drivers is essential for professional success. These six titles offer research-backed, actionable guidance for improving communication, decision-making, leadership, and interpersonal effectiveness. Whether you're leading a team, presenting to stakeholders, or managing client expectations, the insights in these books provide a foundation for stronger performance and more meaningful professional relationships. All six books are readily available through major bookstores and online retailers—making it easier than ever to access powerful tools to better understand and navigate human behaviour in today's evolving workplace. Ready to empower your child for the AI era? Join our program now! Hurry, only a few seats left.
