Justin Elliott
I am a ProPublica reporter covering business and politics.
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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.
Big Corporations Put Up Seed Funding for Republican Dark Money Group
IRS files show that some of the biggest companies in the country provided more than a million dollars a decade ago to launch a Republican dark money group.
Ethics Probe: Congressman’s Taiwan Trip Likely Broke the Law
The investigation found evidence that Taiwan’s government paid for the trip by Rep. Bill Owens and his wife.
Taiwan Drops Lobbying Firm in Wake of Congressional Ethics Probe
Former senator Al D’Amato’s Park Strategies loses contract representing Taiwan
Obama’s Flip-Flops on Money in Politics: A Brief History
Critics say the president’s plan for a new nonprofit group to push his second-term agenda opens the door to influence by corporations and other big donors.
Widely Cited Government Study on Iranian Spies 'Pulled for Revisions'
The study on Iran’s intelligence ministry has been taken down.
Revealed: America’s Arms Sales To Bahrain Amid Bloody Crackdown
New Pentagon documents offer a fuller picture of U.S. arms sales to the tiny Mideast nation.
How a Government Report Spread a Questionable Claim About Iran
A study leaked to the media says Iran has 30,000 intelligence operatives. But good luck finding the origins of the figure.
Watchdogs to IRS: Reject Rove Group’s Tax Application
Recognition by the IRS would allow Crossroads GPS, one of the biggest outside spenders of the 2012 elections, to keep its donors secret
How Dark Money Helped Republicans Hold the House and Hurt Voters
The GOP control of the House came despite more votes for Democrats. Republicans used dark money to control redistricting in many states, aided by other supposedly nonpartisan groups that leaned heavily to Republicans.