Federal lobbying revenue hit a record-smashing $5 billion-plus in the first year of Trump 2.0, but even that sum misses a mega slice of modern influence campaigns.
Social media influencers, ex-lawmakers whispering strategic guidance to clients, paid grassroots mobilization, public relations messaging, polling and focus groups are all largely exempt from the federal lobbying reports that offer a public glimpse at the multibillion-dollar Washington advocacy economy.
Think of it as unlobbying, for accountability purposes.
The strategies are an increasing part of high-stakes influence campaigns, lobbyists say. Even so, Congress has shown little interest in revamping the law that governs what ...