The White House Keeps a ‘Loyalty’ Scorecard for Companies: Report

The White House has reportedly maintained a "loyalty" scorecard that tracks the positions and statements of various companies regarding the administration's policies and actions. This scorecard is seen by some as an attempt to pressure businesses to align with the administration's agenda, echoing the controversial "enemies list" compiled by the Nixon administration. The scorecard is said to monitor companies' public comments, lobbying activities, and political donations, with the goal of identifying those that are perceived as either supportive or critical of the administration. This information is then used to inform the White House's approach to engaging with these companies, potentially influencing access, policy decisions, and other government interactions. The existence of such a scorecard has raised concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the chilling effect it could have on free expression and the ability of businesses to advocate for their interests. Critics argue that this practice undermines the principles of a free market and the separation of politics and business.