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.
Advice From Walmart Exec at Center of Scandal: ‘Personal Integrity’ is Key
The Walmart exec, Eduardo Castro-Wright, in a 2009 interview extolled integrity and a "passion for winning."
Meet the Media Companies Lobbying Against Transparency
Corporations that own some of the country’s biggest news outlets are fighting an FCC measure to post political ad data on the Internet.
Broadcasters Are ‘Against Transparency,’ Says FCC Chairman
Julius Genachowski criticizes TV stations for trying to keep political ad data off the Internet.
Why the FCC Fined Google Just 68 Seconds in Profits
The FCC found that Google stonewalled a probe. The punishment? $25,000.
Behind Closed Doors, Broadcasters Battle Online Disclosure of Political Ad Buys
TV stations are taking their lobbying efforts directly to the FCC, which is expected to vote later this month on whether public data about what ads are bought, who bought them and for how much must be posted online.
Law Shrouds Details of Congressional Trips Abroad
Members of Congress normally have to disclose where they travel overseas, whom they visit and how much the trip cost — but not under a little-known State Department program that keeps those details and others a secret.
Meet Bahrain's Best Friend in Congress
How a Democrat from American Samoa became the beleaguered regime's most reliable booster.
A Tangled Web: Who’s Making Money From All This Campaign Spending?
Many have been detailing the vast sums being raised by the presidential candidates and the super PACs supporting them. But where are all those millions being spent?
Could Corporations Take Tax Breaks on Political 'Dark Money'?
Businesses may be able to use undisclosed, unlimited donations to save on their taxes.