Ripple-Linked XRP Lobbyist Ousted Over Viral Truth Social Crypto Post

A viral Truth Social post from early March that mentioned XRP and other altcoins has led to the ouster of a top Washington lobbyist. According to Politico, the post—which falsely suggested the creation of a “Crypto Strategic Reserve”—was penned by an employee of Ballard Partners, the lobbying firm founded by Brian Ballard. The post caused a sharp spike in XRP’s price and briefly stirred speculation about the U.S. government's stance on digital assets.

Ripple Labs, the blockchain company behind XRP, was revealed to be a client of Ballard Partners. The connection sparked immediate controversy, as the post appeared to benefit Ripple and other crypto entities. Although it was later clarified that the strategic reserve would be Bitcoin-only, the damage was already done.

The White House quickly responded by severing ties with Ballard. The administration not only purged Ballard from access but also barred officials from meeting with him. Despite Ballard's reputation as a key political influencer—retained by companies like JPMorgan and Kraken—the XRP lobbying misstep proved to be the breaking point. One senior White House aide reportedly lashed out at Ballard, signaling just how serious the fallout was.

Lobbying records show Ripple hired Ballard Partners in November, seeking influence amid ongoing legal battles with the SEC. But the orchestrated promotion of XRP through unofficial government messaging backfired, reinforcing public skepticism around crypto lobbying efforts.

The incident has become a cautionary tale for digital asset companies navigating Washington. Missteps in public messaging—even on platforms like Truth Social—can trigger major political consequences and reputational damage.