Justin Elliott

Reporter

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Justin Elliott has been a reporter with ProPublica, where he covers business and politics, since 2012.

In 2023, he and colleagues 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 gold medal for public service.

He was previously on the team of reporters documenting how the rich avoid taxes for “The Secret IRS Files” series. He co-wrote a story revealing how tech mogul Peter Thiel turned a Roth IRA into a multibillion-dollar tax haven.

His work has spurred congressional investigations and changes to federal law. His coverage of TurboTax-maker Intuit’s misleading marketing tactics led to a settlement delivering $141 million back to consumers.

His work has won numerous awards. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, he has won a George Polk Award, the Selden Ring Award, and a Gerald Loeb Award for business journalism. His stories have been published and aired in outlets including The New York Times and NPR. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown University in history and classics.

You can send him feedback, story tips and documents via email at [email protected], or by Signal or WhatsApp at 774-826-6240.

Thinking about getting in touch? For more on how Justin handles tips and story ideas, read his piece on the important role of reader tips in the Supreme Court series.

How the Trump Administration May Be Skirting Its Own Ethics Rules

The hiring of three former lobbyists to work in the White House raises questions about how the Trump administration is enforcing the president’s executive order on ethics.

White House Power Player Jared Kushner Is Keeping Parts of His Real-Estate Empire

Given Kushner’s vast portfolio as an adviser to the president, it’s not clear how he’s going to avoid issues that could affect his bank account. The Trump administration has declined to give details.

Trump Then: ‘I Would Have No Problem’ Banning Lobbyists. Trump Now: You’re Hired!

Donald Trump suggested during the campaign that he would ban lobbyists from his administration. Now they’re working at the very agencies they sought to influence.

Trump’s Watered-Down Ethics Rules Let a Lobbyist Help Run an Agency He Lobbied

President Trump’s executive order on ethics also cites a section of the law that doesn’t exist.

Labor Department Hire Could Presage Collision Between Trump and Construction Unions

The president has cultivated a relationship with the building trades unions. But early hires at the Department of Labor are opponents of wage standards for construction contracts.

A New State Department Order to Revoke Visas Could Have Far-Reaching Effects

Immigration lawyers are scrambling to understand the meaning of a letter first disclosed late Tuesday.

Trump Ban Leaves 12-Year-Old Girl Facing Return to War-Torn Yemen

The girl, whose parents are U.S. citizens, was barred from boarding a plane yesterday and is now in limbo in Djibouti.

Why Trump’s Meetings With CEOs Seeking Mergers Trouble Observers

The president has flouted decades-old norms of antitrust by directly speaking with the executives of companies seeking to merge.

Do You Make Less Than $47,500 a Year? Help Us Investigate Overtime Pay.

Do you make less than $47,500 a year? Help us investigate overtime pay.

How Trump Could Kill a Plan to Get You Overtime Pay

A rule that could get overtime pay for four million workers is in limbo, and Trump will help decide whether it survives.

Trump’s Pick for Labor Secretary Wrote a Deregulatory Manifesto

Andrew Puzder’s co-author told us: “He’ll put in place everything we laid out in the book.”

These Professors Make More Than a Thousand Bucks an Hour Peddling Mega-Mergers

The economists are leveraging their academic prestige with secret reports justifying corporate concentration. Their predictions are often wrong and consumers pay the price.

The American Way

President Obama promised to fight corporate concentration. Eight years later, the airline industry is dominated by just four companies. And you’re paying for it.

Senate Bill Would Force Red Cross to Open Books to Outside Oversight

Following reporting by ProPublica and NPR and an investigation by his staff, Sen. Charles Grassley introduces the American Red Cross Transparency Act.

We Want You to Help Report on the Red Cross

Introducing the Red Cross Reporting Network.

Senator: Red Cross Misled Congress, Refused To ‘Level With the People’ on Haiti Money

“One of the reasons they don't want to answer the questions is it's very embarrassing,” says Sen. Charles Grassley, who just finished a yearlong investigation of the Red Cross.

Trying (and Trying) to Get Records From the ‘Most Transparent Administration’ Ever

I experienced firsthand the incompetence and neglect behind Obama’s failure to make good on his FOIA promises.

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