Trump denies knowing lobbyist who boasted of inside access to administration

President Trump on Monday denied knowing a prominent Washington, D.C., lobbyist who has claimed to have inside access to the Trump administration.

“Many people say they know me, claiming to be ‘best friends’ and really close etc., when I don’t know these people at all. This happens, I suppose, to all who become President,” Trump tweeted.

{mosads}”With that being stated, I don’t know, to the best of my knowledge, a man named Michael Esposito. I don’t like him using my name to build his consulting company, or whatever,” Trump continued. “Please advise his clients and Administration officials accordingly.”

….I don’t like him using my name to build his consulting company, or whatever. Please advise his clients and Administration officials accordingly.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 4, 2019

The tweet appeared to be a direct response to a Washington Post investigation into Esposito that appeared on the front page of Monday’s paper. 

The Post reported that Esposito has quadrupled the revenues of his lobbying firm, Federal Advocates, by touting his ties to the Trump administration despite previously branding himself as a Democratic lobbyist.

Esposito has advertised himself as having an open line of communication with Trump and having previously worked with the president’s son Eric Trump and his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, on real estate deals. He also boasted of having close ties with the Republican National Committee.

Eric Trump and administration officials denied knowing Esposito in statements to the Post.

Federal Advocates has steadily seen its revenue rise during the Trump administration. The firm brought in $4.7 million from lobbying clients in 2018, an increase from $3.3 million in 2017 and just over $900,000 in 2016, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

The White House said last month it was unsubscribing from the Post after Trump suggested canceling the paper.