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.
Official Involved in Bush-Era Purge of Gay Employees Now in Trump Administration
A government investigation found that Jim Renne was a key player in a scandal in which staff were targeted on the basis of sexual orientation.
How the Trump Administration Responds to Democrats’ Demands for Information: It Doesn’t.
Congressional Democrats’ letters to the Trump administration are going unanswered.
Senators to White House: How Will Kushner Avoid Overlap Between Business Empire and Government Work?
Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Tom Carper wrote the White House after we detailed how Jared Kushner is keeping parts of his family real-estate empire.
Here Are More Than 400 Officials Trump Has Quietly Deployed Across the Government
ProPublica has obtained a list of more than 400 people hired by the Trump administration to fill key roles across the federal government.
Meet the Hundreds of Officials Trump Has Quietly Installed Across the Government
We have obtained a list of more than 400 Trump administration hires, including dozens of lobbyists and some from far-right media.
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.