I think Trump hosting million dollar dinners deserves to be called out more than the concept of consulting, which I’m sure is used for both good and nefarious purposes.
If you’re referring to actual instances of former politicians being paid exorbitant consulting fees by corporations that they helped regulate, though, I’d be interested in better understanding what’s going on there too.
If you're in the business of selling to the government, you might find that it's impossible to make anything happen unless you hire "the right consultants." (Usually small firms that have hired ex-regulators or insiders.) That's what I meant. Not that generic firms like McKinsey are angels, though!
If you’re referring to actual instances of former politicians being paid exorbitant consulting fees by corporations that they helped regulate, though, I’d be interested in better understanding what’s going on there too.