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.
After Taiwan Trip, NY Congressman Orders Ethics Training for Staff
Announcement comes following ProPublica story on lobbyist role in Bill Owens' trip to Taiwan.
by Justin Elliott,
New Disclosure Rules for Political Ads Could Take Months
Under a new Federal Communications Commission rule, political ad data showing election spending could be posted online as early as July — or much later.
by Justin Elliott,
Watchdog Group Calls for Probe of Lobbyists Behind Congressional Trip to Taiwan
Public Citizen calls for investigation into whether Al D’Amato’s lobbying firm violated House travel rules by organizing a trip for Rep. Bill Owens (D-NY) and his wife.
by Justin Elliott,
Broadcasters Sue to...Block Transparency
The National Association of Broadcasters argue that the FCC's new rule requiring the posting of political ad data is "arbitrary" and "capricious."
by Justin Elliott,
N.Y. Congressman Will Reimburse Costs for $22,000 Taiwan trip
Democrat Bill Owens said he "did not understand" that contacts between his office and lobbyists for the Taiwan government who helped arranged the trip could be in violation of House ethics rules.
by Justin Elliott,
Lobbyists Arranged N.Y. Congressman’s $20,000 Trip To Taiwan
Four-day Visit by Rep. Bill Owens and Wife Was Set Up by Ex-Sen. Al D’Amato’s Firm; House Ethics Rules Forbid Participation In Lobbyist-Organized Trips.
by Justin Elliott,
Congressman Unfriends Bahrain
American Samoa Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, once Bahrain's best friend in Congress, changes his tune
by Justin Elliott,
FCC-Required Political Ad Data Disclosures Won't Be Searchable
The FCC vote on Friday mandating broadcaster disclosure comes with caveats.
by Justin Elliott,
Broadcasters' Last-Ditch Push to Hide Political Ad Data
Media giants are scrambling to water down a proposed FCC rule on disclosure that will be voted on Friday.
by Justin Elliott,