But the irritation with Ballard goes beyond that incident, five people close to Trump said. Some White House officials believe that he is cashing in on Trump’s name, touting relationships with the president and Wiles that are not nearly as close as advertised. “One way to get yourself in the doghouse is for the president to think you’re trading on his name,” said another close Trump ally, who said Ballard “overstates his importance and value.”