Top Ten Most Popular US Political Speakers Announced
(London, United Kingdom), Monday, 9th December 2024: From campaign trails to the chaos of US elections, America is a hot house for budding political speakers. And today, the demand for former US-politicians along with experts on US politics to share their inside stories and know-how is on the rise. The recent US election has added fuel to the fire, and on top of this many former US politicians are able to bring ‘drama’ to the speaker circuit, making them some of the highest paid speakers in the world.
It’s no surprise then that many high-profile US politicians are now eyeing their next career move, and for several the potentially lucrative speaking circuit beckons. Even before the election, a record number of Congress members chose not to seek re-election, including 8 senators and 53 representatives.1 Notable figures including current President Joe Biden, former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, and long-serving Senator Mitch McConnell all stepped down.
Whether these political heavyweights will hit the keynote and after dinner speaker circuit is yet to be seen, but it’s an attractive and profitable path. Donald Trump reportedly earned $1.5million for a single speech in 2022, while Barack Obama once received $400,000 to address a Wall Street firm.2 And, this popularity also feeds the demand for speakers who are able to share insights and analysis of US politics.
After facing tough crowds in Congress and on the US campaign trail, a keynote speaking engagement is relatively straightforward and a natural segue way for former US politicians and political experts. Nick Gold, Managing Director of Speakers Corner, commented; “As a global superpower, US politics has a far-reaching impact on international affairs, economics, and culture. But our intrigue with US politics goes beyond this. Perhaps it is because we have a ‘special relationship’ with the US, making American political figures and expert speakers both familiar and captivating to British audiences. From a business point of view, high profile US speakers can attract influential attendees to an event and create valuable opportunities for all involved.”
But what makes a successful political speaker? And which former US politicians are already leading the pack in bookings? Based on client enquiries through Speakers Corner, these are the most in-demand former US political speakers today:
Katty Kay
Katty Kay is the lead anchor for BBC World News America, bringing vital political and economic stories from the US to the UK. As a best-selling author and highly accomplished speaker, Katty’s high-powered career has led her to develop a wealth of political anecdotes and a deep understanding of current affairs, making her perfectly placed to speak about politics, journalism and international occurrences.
Nina Schick
A political commentator, advisor and public speaker, Nina Schick specialises in how technology and artificial intelligence are reshaping democracy and global geopolitics. Nina has worked on several black swan political events that shaped her thinking towards how technology and politics are colliding in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Mike Pompeo (wsb)
Mike Pompeo, the 70th Secretary of State and a distinguished leader in American politics offers a wealth of experience and insights into the complexities of global geopolitics, national security, and leadership. His time running as Secretary of State, CIA Director, and member of Congress has given him a deep understanding of the intricate dynamics that govern international relations and policy-making.
John Bolton (wsb speaker)
John Bolton is a prominent American diplomat and lawyer known for his unwavering defence of U.S. national interests. As National Security Advisor, he championed a strong foreign and defence policy, playing a key role in the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and negotiations with North Korea. Bolton also served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, where he advocated for tough actions against proliferation and terrorism, and was instrumental in key Security Council resolutions. Drawing on decades of experience across four U.S. administrations, Bolton offers insights on global politics, U.S. foreign policy, and national security.
Dr Pippa Malmgren
Dr Pippa Malmgren is a digital diviner: she uses years of experience at the highest levels of geopolitics and industry to identify the trends that others might miss in a turbulent landscape. Her work in the White House, with heads of government, NATO generals, tech startup founders and professional investors, gives her a unique perspective on world events.
Tim Shipman
Political Editor of The Sunday Times, Tim Shipman, has been a national newspaper journalist for nearly 20 years, primarily reporting on British and American politics and international relations. Tim has written for The Spectator and Total Politics and is prolific on social media, which is reflected in the tens of thousands of followers he has accumulated. Tim is a much sought-after political keynote and witty after-dinner speaker.
John Sitilides
As a long-time diplomacy consultant to the U.S. State Department, frequent U.S. and international media commentator on geopolitics and national security, and former Chairman of the Woodrow Wilson Center Southeast Europe Project, John is an esteemed keynote speaker. Specialising in geopolitics and global affairs under the Biden Administration, John helps audiences around the world better understand, anticipate, and mitigate geopolitical risk in a disrupted global industry and finance marketplace.
Niall Ferguson
Niall Ferguson is a renowned historian and expert on global economics known for his sharp, engaging presentations. A professor at Harvard and a Senior Fellow at Stanford, he has authored bestselling books, including Civilization: The West and the Rest and The Pity of War. His TV series The Ascent of Money won an International Emmy, and he regularly contributes to major outlets like Newsweek and Bloomberg. With a focus on contemporary politics and economics, Ferguson’s witty, insightful commentary has made him one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.
Jon Sopel
Jon Sopel is a seasoned British broadcaster, currently BBC North America Editor and presenter for BBC World News. With extensive experience covering British and US politics, he has interviewed leading figures from both nations and famously clashed with Donald Trump. Formerly the BBC’s Chief Political Correspondent, Jon has reported from global hotspots like Washington, New Orleans, and the Israel/Lebanon border.
Ian Bremner
The president and founder of Eurasia Group (the leading global political risk research and consulting firm), Ian Bremmer is an expert on global politics and risk management. Credited with establishing political risk as an academic discipline, his keynote speeches focus on global macro-political trends and emerging markets – “those countries where politics matter at least as much as economics for market outcomes.”
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1 Source: List of U.S. Congress incumbents who are not running for re-election in 2024 – Ballotpedia
2 The popularity and earning potential of former US politicians on the speaking circuit can vary greatly depending on factors such as their former position, public perception, and current relevance. Some, like former presidents or vice presidents, can command extremely
High fees, while others may have more modest speaking careers focused on specific policy areas or regional audiences. Former president Bill Clinton commanded the largest speaking fees in 2011, earning $13.4 million. Source: CNN Bill Clinton has most lucrative year on speech circuit | CNN Politics
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