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.
Dark Money Poured Into New Mexico Senate Contest
An analysis of newly available TV station political ad files shows how groups that don’t have to report their donors played a major role in one race for an open U.S. Senate seat
New Details Emerge About Dark Money Group in Ohio U.S. Senate Race
A former aide to Republican candidate Josh Mandel reportedly did work for the Government Integrity Fund.
Revealed: The Dark Money Group Attacking Sen. Sherrod Brown
Documents show an Ohio lobbyist chairs an opaque group, the Government Integrity Fund, which has spent over $1 million on pro-GOP ads in the key Senate contest.
Watergate Journalist Carl Bernstein Spoke at Event Supporting Iranian ‘Terrorist’ Group
Bernstein was paid $12,000 for remarks in which he challenged the State Department to show evidence the Mujahadin-e Khalq should continue to be designated a terrorist organization.
How Politicians and the Press Overstated Military Budget Cuts by $100 Billion
Opponents of military budget cuts set to go into effect next year — as well as the media — have repeatedly cited an inaccurate, inflated figure
Political Ad Data Comes Online — But It’s Not Searchable
The new system is a big step forward for those seeking to understand campaign ad spending, but it’s far from perfect.
Lobbyist-linked Group Footed Bill for Rep. Burton’s Bahrain Trip
The Indiana Republican and his wife traveled on the dime of a group with deep connections to a lobbying firm, despite a ban on travel financed by lobbyists.
Key Senate Staffer on Military Issues Got Big Payout From Lockheed Martin
Ann Sauer went through the revolving door twice — from working as a Capitol Hill staffer to becoming a Lockheed Martin lobbyist to now returning to the Hill, just as the fight over defense cuts heats up.
Broadcasters Make Emergency Motion to Block Transparency Rule
The National Association of Broadcasters, an industry group representing television stations around the country, is asking a court to block the implementation of a new rule that will put political ad information online before it goes into effect next month.
Bloomberg on NYPD Counter-Terrorism Record: “We’ll Never Know.”
The mayor, who previously said the NYPD had stopped 14 plots, now says he believes it’s impossible to know for sure how many plots the NYPD has thwarted.