Senior counsel attends Oval Office meetings and advises on litigation strategy

A senior personal counsel regularly attends Oval Office meetings and speaks with the president multiple times each day, sometimes joining calls placed on speakerphone without other participants' knowledge, two people familiar with the routine said. The counsel was visible on national television Monday night at Game 3 of the NBA Finals in Madison Square Garden.

Last week, reporting by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal described the counsel's role in a proposed $1.8 billion settlement fund that the administration later abandoned after bipartisan congressional criticism.

Litigation and settlements As the president's top personal attorney, the counsel has managed civil litigation against several media organizations and technology companies. Settlements have been reached with ABC for $16 million, CBS for $16 million plus public service announcements, Meta for $25 million, Google for $22 million, and X for $10 million.

Additional cases remain active against BBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the Pulitzer Committee.

Background and influence The counsel assembled the legal team and directed strategy during the 2024 election cycle that addressed four criminal cases and two civil matters. The approach included appeals that contributed to a Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling.

" In April, the counsel was named chair of Trump Media, where Donald Trump Jr. serves as director. The counsel maintains regular contact with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and visits the Oval Office about once a week, a White House official said.

Earlier career and disputes The counsel previously advised John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign and joined the current president's operation after appearing on cable television in support of the campaign. The counsel assumed greater responsibilities after Michael Cohen's 2017 indictment.