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US-based lobbying firm Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. has deleted its social media post announcing the purported appointment of managing partner Karl Von Batten to a White House presidential commission.
The firm initially claimed on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump selected Von Batten for the federal role, but failed to disclose specific details or identify which commission he was joining.
The announcement was subsequently taken down from the firm’s official X page, while the White House has issued no official statement confirming or denying the claimed appointment.
Before its removal, the deleted statement expressed deep appreciation toward the American leader, noting, “Dr. Von Batten is deeply grateful to President Trump (The Chief) for this appointment and for the confidence placed in him.”
The consultancy framed the move as a major career milestone, stating, “This presidential appointment represents a tremendous honor and reflects Dr. Von Batten’s longstanding commitment to public service, leadership, and our nation.”
The post concluded with an assurance of readiness, adding, “Dr. Von Batten looks forward to answering the call to serve our President and country.”
The sudden retraction has fueled uncertainty surrounding the status of the appointment, particularly given the total absence of formal verification from Washington officials.
At the time of reporting, the White House had not issued any public clarification regarding whether Von Batten was ever selected for an advisory capacity.
The initial post generated intense political scrutiny due to Von Batten’s active consulting contract with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress.
Atiku engaged the Washington firm earlier this year under a 12-month contract valued at $1.2 million to manage his international standing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Following that deal, Von Batten’s firm intensified public opposition against President Bola Tinubu, submitting Freedom of Information Act requests regarding past US law enforcement records.
These actions unfolded during a delicate period in diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the United States over regional governance and visa policies.
Consequently, news of the alleged presidential commission role drew significant interest across international diplomatic and political circles.
Von Batten also previously claimed to have briefed senior figures in Trump’s team regarding alleged mismanagement of US-funded World Bank credits by Nigerian officials, though those claims remain unverified.
Neither the White House nor Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. has released a follow-up statement explaining why the initial announcement was pulled down.
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