Weeks before Bahamians head to the polls on May 12, 2026, Prime Minister Philip Davis’s government quietly retained two U.S. conservative operatives to help shore up ties with Washington: Coreco “CJ” Pearson, a prominent MAGA influencer, and Roger Stone, a longtime ally of Donald Trump. Federal disclosures and news reports show Pearson is set to collect $20,000 a month, while Stone’s paperwork lists a six-figure monthly retainer. The contracts arrive as the government faces mounting questions over spending and an intense public fight over Chinese financing for a new hospital in Nassau.
What the filings show
Short-form registrations and an amendment were filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and describe work to “build stronger relations” between Nassau and the United States. Pearson’s registration lists compensation of $20,000 per month. Stone’s filing, amended in March, shows a six-figure retainer after an earlier amount linked to DCI Group AZ L.L.C. was revised. Those details appear in the Justice Department’s FARA records and were reported by Bloomberg Government. The Miami Herald reports that Stone declined to comment when contacted.
Why it matters in Nassau
Prime Minister Philip Davis called an early general election for May 12, which instantly raised the stakes for his administration as it defends its record. As the Miami Herald notes, U.S. Ambassador Herschel Walker publicly criticized a roughly $285 million Chinese-backed hospital project in Nassau, saying he “questioned the decision to rush forward” with financing under Chinese law, and local reporting has highlighted about $250 million spent on consultancy contracts across ministries since mid-2021. Opponents and some voters see the decision to hire high-profile U.S. operatives as a risky pivot that could inflame debates over sovereignty, transparency and which external partners the Bahamas should court.
Disclosure and legal rules
Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, individuals who act at the direction of a foreign government on political or public relations matters must disclose their relationships, activities and compensation. The Justice Department’s FARA eFile portal publishes registration statements and amendments so journalists and the public can review them, and the law carries civil and criminal penalties for willful violations. For the public filings and background on the disclosure rules, see the Justice Department’s FARA eFile portal FARA eFile.
What to watch next
The Bahamas votes on May 12, and U.S. officials have said they plan to send observers to monitor the election, a signal that Washington is paying attention to political and geopolitical crosscurrents in the region. Observers and local voters will be watching to see whether the new lobbying push alters U.S. focus on financing and security issues, or whether it mainly fuels domestic criticism over how public money is being spent in the final stretch of a high-stakes campaign.
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