Former White House deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich urged business leaders to be candid with President Trump, saying the best way to secure his help is to “just tell him the truth.” He made the remark during an interview with Axios co-founder Mike Allen at the 2026 White House Correspondents Dinner reception.
Budowich, who spent roughly five years in Trump’s inner circle, observed that executives frequently become intimidated in the Oval Office. Instead of raising real concerns, he said, they often default to telling the president everything is fine — even during critical moments.
“One of them asked me, 'What should I tell him? How should I position this issue?'” Budowich recounted. “I said, 'Just tell him the truth.' What is your truth?” He noted that the same leaders who warn of a looming crisis behind closed doors later assure Trump that “everything's great.”
The former aide left the White House for the private sector in September, after helping oversee communications, cabinet affairs, and speechwriting. He also previously managed the administration's communications strategy during a period referred to as Operation Midnight, Axios reported.
Budowich’s advice underscores a persistent dynamic in Trump’s White House: aides and visitors often struggle to deliver unwelcome news directly. His comments suggest that even seasoned executives may benefit from a more straightforward approach when seeking presidential support.