Fossil Fuel and Finance Donors Pour Millions Into House GOP War Chest
Speaker Mike Johnson’s record haul in Q1 was powered by big checks from billionaire donors—and a new donation from Peter Thiel.
David Moore
Co-founder, Sludge
Congressional Leaders Warning of ‘Insider Trading’ Could Have Banned Officials From Stock Trading
Banning members of Congress and government officials from trading stocks is highly popular, even among many rank and file lawmakers—but not among the congressional leaders who control which bills advance.
House Republicans Vote to Kill the CFPB’s $5 Overdraft Fee Cap
The House also voted to repeal a CFPB rule giving it oversight of Big Tech’s forays into payment services, a potential boon to X Money.
Peter Thiel Ally in Line to Oversee Drug (De-)Regulation
Jim O’Neill, Trump’s pick to be deputy secretary of HHS, criticized the FDA's drug approval process as overly cautious while directing a Thiel-founded VC firm that invests in biotech companies.
Republicans Push SAVE Act Vote, Potentially Disenfranchising Millions
The bill is being applauded by the Heritage Foundation and “dark money”-funded groups tied to Leonard Leo.
Trump-Tied Lobbying Firms Rake in Hundreds of New Clients
Since the 2024 election, firms founded by Trump campaign bundlers, like Ballard Partners and Miller Strategies, are seeing a rush of new corporate clients.
Crypto Industry Spends Millions to Hold GOP House Seats
In a closer-than-expected Florida special election, a top crypto industry super PAC is shelling out for Republican Randy Fine, who has been out-raised by Democrat Josh Weil.
Tesla Gets a Recharge From Trump’s Auto Tariffs
Auto industry analysts say Tesla, which is losing market share in EVs, stands to win from Trump's 25% tariff plan on foreign-made cars.
Elon Musk Is Spending Big to Tip the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Musk and other billionaires are flooding the state with spending to influence voters ahead of pending cases on reproductive rights, redistricting, and unions.
Corporate Law Giant Paul Weiss Caves to Trump
The law firm, which has defended ExxonMobil in climate lawsuits and Google in antitrust actions, agrees to $40 million in pro bono legal services for Trump and to jettison DEI in hiring.