Avi Asher-Schapiro
I cover the Trump administration and Big Tech in Washington, D.C.
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If you have tips about big tech and the Trump administration, please get in touch.
What I Cover
I am an investigative journalist, reporting on big tech’s maneuvers in Washington, D.C. I have been reporting on Elon Musk’s efforts to reshape government in the Trump era, and I am interested in tips about how tech and business interests — from AI companies to crypto firms — seek power and influence.
My Background
I have been reporting on technology for over a decade. My journalism is regularly cited by lawmakers and regulators and has helped spur legislation and regulatory overhauls.
Before ProPublica, I spent four years at the Thomson Reuters Foundation, investigating some of the biggest technology firms in the world, including Amazon, Meta and Uber.
I joined ProPublica’s Washington bureau at the start of the second Trump administration and have been tracking Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” — who works for it, how it’s funded and how it’s overhauling the government.
I plan to continue covering the intersection of the Trump administration and Silicon Valley.
My work relies upon mutual trust and the confidence of sources, who are often taking risks to help bring important matters of public interest to light. I take the protection of sources seriously, and I welcome questions about the reporting process.
DOGE’s Millions: As Musk and Trump Gut Government, Their Ax-Cutting Agency Gets Cash Infusion
The Department of Government Efficiency is funded — and acts — like a federal agency. But the White House has shielded DOGE from the rules that govern such agencies, ProPublica found as it examines the group and expands a list of DOGE workers.
by Avi Asher-Schapiro, Andy Kroll and Christopher Bing,
Elon Musk’s Demolition Crew
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has been unleashed on federal agencies. ProPublica is attempting to document who is working with him and what they are doing.
by Avi Asher-Schapiro, Christopher Bing, Annie Waldman, Brett Murphy, Andy Kroll, Justin Elliott, Kirsten Berg, William Turton, Sebastian Rotella, Alex Mierjeski, Pratheek Rebala and Al Shaw,
The Elite Lawyers Working for Elon Musk’s DOGE Include Former Supreme Court Clerks
Much attention has been paid to the young Silicon Valley engineers working for Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, but the group has also hired high-powered legal talent.
by Justin Elliott, Avi Asher-Schapiro and Andy Kroll,
Trump Vowed to Clean Up Washington, Then His Team Hired a Man Who Pushed a Scam the IRS Called the “Worst of the Worst”
Frank Schuler was a leading promoter of a tax deduction derided as a scam by prosecutors, senators and the IRS. Now he’s a senior adviser to the General Services Administration, which manages the federal government’s property.
by Peter Elkind,
Inspector General Probes Whether Trump, DOGE Sought Private Taxpayer Information or Sensitive IRS Material
The request, spelled out in an email obtained by ProPublica, comes amid concerns that DOGE has overstepped its bounds in seeking highly restricted private information about taxpayers, public employees or federal agencies.
by William Turton, Avi Asher-Schapiro, Christopher Bing and Andy Kroll,
ICE Awarded a $3.8 Billion Contract to Hold Immigrants on a Military Base. Days Later, It Was Canceled.
The administration still intends to move ahead with the plan to build a tent detention camp at Fort Bliss, sources said. It’s a job that promises to be highly sought after as Trump officials plan to pour billions of dollars into new detention facilities.
Trump Team Eyes Politically Connected Startup to Overhaul $700 Billion Government Payments Program
A little-known firm with investors linked to JD Vance, Elon Musk and Trump could get a piece of the federal expense card system — and its hundreds of millions in fees. “This goes against all the normal contracting safeguards,” one expert said.
by Christopher Bing and Avi Asher-Schapiro,
From Lollapalooza to Detention Camps: Meet the Tent Company Making a Fortune Off Trump’s Deportation Plans
The privately held company Deployed Resources has made billions running tent detention facilities to hold immigrants entering the U.S. at the border. Now it is cashing in again on Trump’s plan to hold immigrants before deportation.
Who’s Running the DOGE Wrecking Machine: The World’s Richest Man or a Little-Known Bureaucrat?
Insiders tell ProPublica that Amy Gleason is only in charge on paper, while Musk’s top lieutenants really run DOGE. One person who has been in meetings with Gleason described her as having “little to no actual decision making” responsibilities.
The Staffers Helping Elon Musk Dismantle and Downsize the U.S. Government, One Agency at a Time
Musk and his lieutenants are reshaping the government and its mission with the blessing of President Trump. ProPublica has confirmed the names and roles of more than 30 staffers affiliated with the billionaire.
by Christopher Bing and Annie Waldman,