Rumble Inc., the video sharing platform that garnered backing from Vice President JD Vance, has disclosed that its now-former general counsel, Michael Ellis, received a $1 million payout upon stepping down. Ellis is transitioning to a significant role in the public sector as he takes on the position of deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Ellis, whose tenure at Rumble began in late 2021, played a central role at the company as its top lawyer and corporate secretary. His departure, which was officially recorded in a securities filing on February 7, allows him to “pursue a position in government.” His appointment as the CIA’s second-in-command under Director John Ratcliffe was announced by former President Donald Trump on February 3.
Ellis’s career trajectory has been notable, having earlier worked on Project 2025 before joining Rumble. His move to the CIA is indicative of his alignment with national security objectives. The transition also sheds light on corporate engagements with the government, where industry leaders take their expertise into public service roles.
For further details, please refer to the Bloomberg Law article covering this development.