India Paid $75,000 a Month to Secure Modi’s Mention in Trump’s Truth Social Posts: Report

India paid a lobbying firm $75,000 a month to arrange posts mentioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi on US President Donald Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, according to a report by The Wire.

The report, published on Saturday, said Mercury Public Affairs, a lobbying firm, disclosed the arrangement in documents filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

The firm arranged the posts in June, after Modi became India’s longest-serving prime minister.

Mercury Public Affairs, which is run by individuals with close ties to Trump’s inner circle, was reportedly hired on a monthly retainer of $75,000 following Trump’s re-election.

Brian Lanza, communications director for Trump’s transition team, was part of the firm’s core team. Susie Wiles, who served as Trump’s chief of staff until late 2024, was also a registered lobbyist with the firm.

Mercury also arranged a post by Trump on X, in which he congratulated the Indian prime minister.

Separately, another lobbying firm, SHW Partners LLC, led by Trump aide Jason Miller, arranged eight phone calls between senior Indian government officials and White House officials in May and June.

FARA filings described the calls as “political activities” aimed at discussing India-US relations.

India hired Miller’s firm in April 2025 and extended the contract for another year in April 2026. However, the agreement ended on June 23 after Miller joined the Trump administration as a “special government employee”.

The Indian Embassy in Washington signed the contract at a monthly fee of $150,000.

According to the filings, the firm provided strategic advice and assistance on policy matters to the US government, Congress, state governments, academic institutions and think tanks.

Under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act, individuals and organisations engaged in political activities on behalf of foreign clients are required to regularly disclose details of their work and financial transactions.

In May, ahead of Indian Foreign Minister Marco Rubio’s visit to India, Miller’s firm arranged meetings involving Indian officials and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Deputy National Security Adviser Michael Needham and senior Treasury Department official Jean Lange.

Following the visit, Indian officials held discussions in June with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, policy adviser Walker Barrett and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung.