Business leaders looking for support from President Donald Trump should prioritize honesty above all else, according to former White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich.
Budowich shared his advice with Axios co-founder Mike Allen during a conversation at the 2026 White House Correspondents Dinner reception on Friday.
Why Truth Matters in Trump’s Inner Circle
Budowich, who spent half a decade in Trump’s inner circle, emphasized the importance of straightforward communication when engaging with the president.
"One of them asked me, ‘What should I tell him? How should I position this issue?’ I said, ‘Just tell him the truth.’ What is your truth?"
He noted that business leaders often become overly cautious in the Oval Office, downplaying issues to avoid confrontation. "You were just saying, like there was a cataclysmic event about to happen, and now we're here," Budowich said. "Now it's, ‘Everything's great, sir.’"
Budowich’s Role in Trump’s Administration
Budowich left the White House in September after leading communications, cabinet affairs, and speechwriting offices, as reported exclusively by Axios’ Alex Isenstadt.
During his tenure, he oversaw the administration’s communications strategy for key initiatives, including:
- Operation Midnight Hammer
- Trump’s tariff rollouts
- DOGE-related policy cuts
Before joining the administration, Budowich played a pivotal role in Trump’s return to Washington, working with MAGA-affiliated super PACs and later the 2024 Trump campaign.
He maintains a close relationship with Vice President JD Vance, who described Budowich as someone he has "relied on countless times" during Trump’s second term.
Post-White House Ventures
Budowich now serves as president of Sovereign Advisors, a Washington, D.C.-based crisis communications firm he founded in fall 2024.
The firm recently expanded its team by hiring Lea Bardon, a former White House director of cabinet affairs. Bardon’s strong ties to cabinet secretaries and their staffs enhance the firm’s influence in policy circles.
Go Deeper
Scoop: Longtime Trump adviser Budowich departing White House
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