Earhart Turner Lands $5m Contract with D.R. Congo

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 NatSec Daily, 4/4/2025

As Congo tries to secure a minerals deal with the United States and improve its standing in Washington, it’s turning to an interesting choice on K Street to get further in the eyes of the Trump administration.

As our friends at POLITICO Influence report, the Congolese government has retained the services of Earhart Turner on a six-month, $5 million contract.

That firm, notably, was founded by former Trump 2016 campaign senior adviser KAREN GIORNO, and employs former far-right commentator MILO YIANNOPOULOS as a senior partner. According to a copy of the contract filed with the Justice Department’s FARA Unit, Earhart Turner will advocate before Congress, the executive branch, and other government agencies, and provide strategic communications and public affairs help and policy research and analysis.

 Politico Influence, 4/3/2025

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, facing a strong Rwanda-backed insurgency trying to access its mineral wealth, has hired a new lobbying firm started by Trump 2016 campaign alum Karen Giorno with a six-month, $5 million contract, Daniel reports.

— She recently started a lobbying and PR firm called Earhart Turner, where she is joined by senior partner Milo Yiannopoulos, a former far-right Breitbart journalist who will be helping on the Congo account with PR and influencer marketing.

— The work for Congo includes advocacy before Congress, the executive branch, and other government agencies, strategic communications and public affairs help and policy research and analysis, according to a copy of the contract filed with FARA.

— Giorno was a senior adviser on the Trump 2016 campaign and previously worked in operations for first lady Laura Bush, former President George H.W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Rick Scott. 

4/2/2025

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Earhart Turner, a new lobbying and public relations firm, has secured a six-month, $5 million contract with the Democratic Republic of Congo, less than a month after opening its doors. The firm will represent the Central African nation in a landmark partnership to strengthen the DRC’s global influence.

Politico, 7/1/2016

The Trump campaign announced on Friday that it has promoted Karen Giorno to become a senior adviser and chief strategist to win Florida’s 29 electoral votes. The campaign hired Giorno in October as the state director for Florida, and after a big Florida primary win that knocked Marco Rubio out of the race, she was promoted to Southeast regional political director. 

The New York Times, 7/2/2016

Ms. Giorno’s ascent reflects a new urgency within the campaign to bolster its chances in Florida, a pivotal battleground. Ms. Giorno is said to have earned the candidate’s trust during and after the primary process. “She has done a tremendous job for me in Florida in the primary, which I won in a landslide, and I am certain we will win Florida again in the general election,” Mr. Trump said of Ms. Giorno.

Trump Campaign Press Release, 7/1/2016

Karen is a Political and External Affairs consultant with 25 years experience in political communications, public relations & Issue Advocacy, organizational management, and presidential advance operations. On Karen's advancement, Mr. Trump said, "Karen is a valuable asset to my team and a consummate professional. She has done a tremendous job for me in Florida in the primary, which I won in a landslide, and I am certain we will win Florida again in the general election."

The Washington Post, 5/26/2016

Politico reports that Rick Wiley got fired after clashing with Karen Giorno, who ran Florida for Trump ahead of his big win there on March 15 ... Trump phoned Giorno, concerned.... 'Tell me what's wrong?' Trump asked her, according to one person familiar with the call. Karen unloaded on Wiley, the source said. Mr. Trump is loyal. He believed her... Rick picked a fight with the wrong person.'