Documents Reveal Trump Administration Helping Weapons Manufacturer Hurt By Its Reckless Tariffs

Records obtained by American Oversight through the Freedom of Information Act reveal the Small Business Administration (SBA) worked behind the scenes to try to mitigate the damaging impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on a politically sympathetic weapons manufacturer.

According to the records, SBA Deputy Chief of Staff Ben Grayson emailed United States Trade Representative (USTR) staffer Sam Scales in March 2025 seeking assistance for a Florida-based crossbow manufacturer that reported “significant strain on the company’s financials” due to Trump’s tariffs. Grayson asked whether USTR could assist and noted that the SBA was already working to provide the company with a loan.

“The administration’s refusal to address the harm its erratic trade policies are causing small businesses has left SBA officials scrambling to paper over the impact — in this case for a weapons manufacturer whose CEO is a long-time supporter of President Trump,” said Chioma Chukwu, Executive Director of American Oversight. “This is exactly why transparency is so important — the public has a right to know when government resources are being used behind closed doors to shield an administration from the consequences of its own economic decisions.”

While SBA officials routinely work with small businesses across the country, the emails raise concerns about whether this and other politically sympathetic companies were singled out for favorable treatment, particularly given the agency’s inability to make direct loans to businesses or individuals outside of declared disasters or emergencies.

Barnett Crossbows, whose products are sold at Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, and Amazon, is a well-known name in the hunting and Second Amendment rights community. Its co-owner and CEO publicly expressed support for Trump during the 2024 election.