Justin Elliott
I am a ProPublica reporter covering business and politics.
Have a Tip for a Story?
What I Cover
I report on money and power. I’m currently focused on the second Trump administration, but I’m always looking for under-covered business and politics stories.
My Background
I’ve been a reporter with ProPublica for more than a decade. In 2023, my colleagues and I revealed how a set of politically connected billionaires provided lavish gifts and travel to Supreme Court justices over many years. Those stories won the Pulitzer Prize for public service.
I was previously on a team of reporters documenting how the rich avoid taxes for “The Secret IRS Files” series. I co-wrote a story revealing how tech mogul Peter Thiel turned a Roth IRA into a multibillion-dollar tax haven.
My work has spurred congressional investigations and changes to federal law. My coverage of TurboTax-maker Intuit’s misleading marketing tactics led to a settlement delivering $141 million back to consumers.
In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, I have won a George Polk Award, the Selden Ring Award and a Gerald Loeb Award for business journalism. I earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown University.
You can send me feedback, story tips and documents via email at [email protected], or by Signal or WhatsApp at 774-826-6240.
If you want to better understand how I handle tips and story ideas, read my piece on the important role of reader tips in the Supreme Court series.
The Hidden Hand of a Casino Company in Trump’s Contact with Vietnam — “Trump, Inc.” Podcast
Trump’s first call with the Vietnamese prime minister was arranged by Marc Kasowitz, a Trump personal lawyer who has another client with business interests in Vietnam.
Wilbur Ross Overruled Career Officials at Census Bureau to Add Citizenship Question
The Commerce secretary wrote a memo arguing that the benefits of the controversial question would outweigh any harm.
The Trump Appointee Behind the Move to Add a Citizenship Question to the Census
The initial author of a key Justice Department letter wasn’t revealed — until today.
An Industry Group Says the Trump Administration Is Run “Like a Bad Family Owned Small Business” — And They Love It
A contractors trade association, in an internal presentation, mocks the president while praising him for cutting back on rules meant to protect workers.
Census Rushes to Respond to Request to Add Citizenship Question
The Census Bureau is exploring options about adding a citizenship question to the next census, amid a firestorm of protest about the controversial proposal.
Red Cross General Counsel David Meltzer Resigns Over Handling of Sexual Assault and Harassment Allegations
The charity’s CEO, Gail McGovern, announced Meltzer’s resignation this morning following a ProPublica story last week.
The Red Cross Helped an Executive Get a Job at Save the Children After Forcing Him Out for Sexual Harassment
A senior Red Cross official harassed a subordinate and was accused of raping another. The charity’s now-general counsel David Meltzer praised him on his way out for “leadership” and “dedication.”
Trump Justice Department Pushes for Citizenship Question on Census, Alarming Experts
“This is a recipe for sabotaging the census,” said one. The administration’s stated reason for the controversial move: protecting civil rights.
Jared Kushner By Day: Mideast Peace. Kushner Companies By Night: Donating to a West Bank Settlement.
While Jared Kushner is working on a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians, the Kushner Companies Charitable Foundation is funding a controversial West Bank settlement.
Koch Lobbyists and Opus Dei — Who’s Dropping in on Trump Budget Czar Mick Mulvaney?
The influential OMB director’s door is open to corporate and conservative interests, according to logs that the White House fought to keep secret.