Chinese Firm Hired Lobbyists with Trump Jr. Ties, Scored Win in Washington

Lobbying firm led by Trump Jr.'s hunting buddy aided Chinese company in national security case against U.S. startup

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:28pm

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A cinematic painting of a lone figure walking down a shadowy Washington D.C. street, the Capitol building visible in the distance, the scene bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually illustrating the influence of political connections in government decision-making.Partisan political connections continue to shape the power dynamics in Washington, as evidenced by a Chinese firm's successful lobbying effort against a U.S. startup's national security concerns.Washington Today

A lobbying firm led by one of Donald Trump Jr.'s hunting buddies helped a Chinese company make its case to a U.S. national security watchdog against a U.S. startup that was seeking to have the Chinese firm removed as one of its investors. The watchdog rejected the U.S. firm's request for a national security review of the Chinese firm's investment.

Why it matters

This case highlights the influence of partisan political connections in Washington, where lobbyists with ties to powerful figures can sway decisions by government agencies on sensitive national security matters involving foreign companies.

The details

The lobbying firm, led by a Trump Jr. hunting buddy, represented the Chinese company Kunlun Tech as it fought against a request by U.S. startup Grindr to have Kunlun's investment in the company reviewed on national security grounds. Despite the U.S. firm's concerns, the watchdog rejected the request, allowing Kunlun to maintain its stake.

  • In 2026, Kunlun Tech hired a lobbying firm led by a Trump Jr. hunting buddy.
  • In 2026, the U.S. national security watchdog rejected Grindr's request to review Kunlun Tech's investment.

The players

Kunlun Tech

A Chinese company that invested in the U.S. startup Grindr and fought against a request to have its investment reviewed on national security grounds.

Grindr

A U.S. startup that sought to have the U.S. national security watchdog review Kunlun Tech's investment in the company.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the outsized influence that political connections can have in Washington, where well-connected lobbyists can sway decisions by government agencies on sensitive national security matters involving foreign companies.