Trump Admin Creates Corporate Loyalty Scorecard for 553 Firms

The Trump administration has reportedly created a confidential corporate evaluation system known as a "corporate loyalty scorecard," which ranks 553 U.S. businesses and trade associations based on their support for the administration’s legislative agenda, including the "Big and Beautiful" bill. The system, developed by Trump’s aides, is designed to measure the extent to which these entities have promoted or lobbied for the administration’s key priorities, such as infrastructure and economic policies. Factors considered in the ranking include public endorsements, social media activity, participation in White House events, and advocacy efforts [1].

The scorecard reportedly categorized companies into three tiers: "high," "medium," and "low" based on their level of support. According to Axios, examples of "high" supporters included Uber, DoorDash, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Airlines for America, AT&T, Cisco, and the American Iron and Steel Institute. These companies are said to have actively taken measures to promote the "Big and Beautiful" bill [2].

While the White House has not officially confirmed the existence of the scorecard, internal communications and anonymous sources have indicated its use in influencing federal contracting decisions, regulatory approaches, and public endorsements. This has reinforced concerns that political loyalty could become a factor in government-business relations [3]. The structured nature of the system has drawn comparisons to past practices where political alignment influenced administrative decisions, but it appears to be more formalized and systematic [4].

Reactions to the initiative have been mixed. Critics argue that the scorecard could pressure companies to align with the administration’s agenda rather than making decisions based on market dynamics. Others have defended it as a tool to align corporate interests with national priorities, particularly in sectors such as technology, energy, and finance [5]. At the same time, the lack of transparency surrounding the process has raised questions about due process and the potential for the scorecard to be used for political purposes [6].

Analysts suggest that the system aligns with the broader Trump administration approach, which often involves close engagement with private sector actors. However, without official documentation or data, the exact impact of the scorecard on policy implementation or corporate behavior remains unclear [7].

The initiative underscores the evolving relationship between political leadership and corporate influence in shaping national policy. While not the first instance of political influence in business-government interactions, the Trump administration’s structured and selective approach marks a notable development in U.S. governance [8]. As the administration continues to advance its legislative and regulatory goals, the role of corporate supporters and detractors is expected to remain a key factor in the success of its initiatives [9].

Sources:

[1] Forbes - https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2025/08/15/white-house-creates-loyalty-rating-system-for-553-us-companies-heres-what-trump-has-said-in-the-past/

[2] The Daily Telegraph - https://www.theblockbeats.info/en/flash/307705

[3] The Daily Beast - https://www.thedailybeast.com/white-house-creates-secret-enemies-list-of-biggest-companies

[4] Yahoo - https://ca.news.yahoo.com/trump-team-created-secret-list-143635175.html

[5] Yahoo - https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-bonkers-way-companies-bend-182401293.html

[6] Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/neoliberal/comments/1mqxoz1/scoop_white_house_hands_down_loyalty_ratings_for/

[7] NewsBreak - https://www.newsbreak.com/the-new-republic-1991457/4177****98370-trump-has-a-bonkers-new-way-to-make-companies-bend-to-his-will

[8] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/DNZMvxyTnrR/