Brendan Fischer
@brendanfischer.bsky.social
Deputy Executive Director @documented.net. Previously at Campaign Legal Center. Wisconsinite.
Oh, the billionaire megadonor who keeps notching victories under Trump is the guy on the right.
It’s fair to ask: what else is Trump doing to serve his interests?
It’s fair to ask: what else is Trump doing to serve his interests?
July 30, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Oh, the billionaire megadonor who keeps notching victories under Trump is the guy on the right.
It’s fair to ask: what else is Trump doing to serve his interests?
It’s fair to ask: what else is Trump doing to serve his interests?
Trump’s push for Coca-Cola to use cane sugar could be a windfall for one of his billionaire megadonors.
Jose “Pepe” Fanjul and his sugar empire, Florida Crystals, have poured millions into Trump’s campaigns — and have been racking up wins since Trump's return to office. 🧵
Jose “Pepe” Fanjul and his sugar empire, Florida Crystals, have poured millions into Trump’s campaigns — and have been racking up wins since Trump's return to office. 🧵
July 30, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Trump’s push for Coca-Cola to use cane sugar could be a windfall for one of his billionaire megadonors.
Jose “Pepe” Fanjul and his sugar empire, Florida Crystals, have poured millions into Trump’s campaigns — and have been racking up wins since Trump's return to office. 🧵
Jose “Pepe” Fanjul and his sugar empire, Florida Crystals, have poured millions into Trump’s campaigns — and have been racking up wins since Trump's return to office. 🧵
“It is hard to see how Sinema can credibly argue that luxury hotels, meal expenses, and extensive air travel are connected to her candidacy or officeholder duties, given that she is no longer a candidate or officeholder,” I told
@NOTUSreports.
A few thoughts: 🧵
@NOTUSreports.
A few thoughts: 🧵
Kyrsten Sinema’s Campaign Committee Spent Big on Flights, Wine Shops and Skiing
NEW via @davelevinthal.com
www.notus.org/money/kyrste...
NEW via @davelevinthal.com
www.notus.org/money/kyrste...
Kyrsten Sinema’s Campaign Committee Spent Big on Flights, Wine Shops and Skiing
The former senator isn’t running for office, but her campaign committee spent more than $391,000 between March 31 and June 30, according to FEC filings.
www.notus.org
July 15, 2025 at 12:07 AM
“It is hard to see how Sinema can credibly argue that luxury hotels, meal expenses, and extensive air travel are connected to her candidacy or officeholder duties, given that she is no longer a candidate or officeholder,” I told
@NOTUSreports.
A few thoughts: 🧵
@NOTUSreports.
A few thoughts: 🧵
The Trump admin’s move to let churches engage in partisan politics is part of a broader strategy to loosen the rules when it benefits MAGA allies, and tighten them when it hurts the opposition. 🧵 1/ www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
I.R.S. Says Churches Can Endorse Candidates From the Pulpit
www.nytimes.com
July 11, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The Trump admin’s move to let churches engage in partisan politics is part of a broader strategy to loosen the rules when it benefits MAGA allies, and tighten them when it hurts the opposition. 🧵 1/ www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/u...
If the Trump family is serious about building these phones in the US, then President Trump now has a personal financial stake in tariff and trade negotiations.
It also means that China has a potentially new source of leverage over the president.
Both raise major conflict of interests. 1/
It also means that China has a potentially new source of leverage over the president.
Both raise major conflict of interests. 1/
BENNY JOHNSON: Tell me about a brand new Trump device, made here in the USA. St. Louis! Why did you pick St. Louis?
DON JR: Well, listen, uh, we're gonna be, ahhh, having call centers for Trump mobile in St. Louis. So we're keeping our data on shore.
DON JR: Well, listen, uh, we're gonna be, ahhh, having call centers for Trump mobile in St. Louis. So we're keeping our data on shore.
June 16, 2025 at 9:18 PM
If the Trump family is serious about building these phones in the US, then President Trump now has a personal financial stake in tariff and trade negotiations.
It also means that China has a potentially new source of leverage over the president.
Both raise major conflict of interests. 1/
It also means that China has a potentially new source of leverage over the president.
Both raise major conflict of interests. 1/
One implication of Trump’s plan to sell green cards for $5 million is that it would allow foreign billionaires and oligarchs to start legally pouring money into U.S. elections (including into Trump’s political operation).
June 12, 2025 at 4:38 PM
One implication of Trump’s plan to sell green cards for $5 million is that it would allow foreign billionaires and oligarchs to start legally pouring money into U.S. elections (including into Trump’s political operation).
The White House now says that Elon Musk’s policy views are shaped by his financial interests.
So…where was that concern when they gave Musk sweeping influence over government policies that directly impacted his bottom line?
So…where was that concern when they gave Musk sweeping influence over government policies that directly impacted his bottom line?
June 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
The White House now says that Elon Musk’s policy views are shaped by his financial interests.
So…where was that concern when they gave Musk sweeping influence over government policies that directly impacted his bottom line?
So…where was that concern when they gave Musk sweeping influence over government policies that directly impacted his bottom line?
The Elon Musk-backed, Trump-aligned dark money group Building America’s Future is behind the multi-million dollar “Make America Affordable Again” ad campaign pushing "lawsuit reform," FCC records show.
May 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The Elon Musk-backed, Trump-aligned dark money group Building America’s Future is behind the multi-million dollar “Make America Affordable Again” ad campaign pushing "lawsuit reform," FCC records show.
A few thoughts. 🧵
First, after spending $290M+ getting Trump elected, Musk may not need to spend more, since he got what he wanted: a key role in the administration, top allies in important positions, investigations into his companies dropped, and potentially billions in new federal contracts.
First, after spending $290M+ getting Trump elected, Musk may not need to spend more, since he got what he wanted: a key role in the administration, top allies in important positions, investigations into his companies dropped, and potentially billions in new federal contracts.
Elon Musk said he is cutting back on political spending. He poured over $290 million into the 2024 election.
“I think I’ve done enough," he said at the Qatar Economic Forum.
“I think I’ve done enough," he said at the Qatar Economic Forum.
Musk to step back from political spending: ‘I think I’ve done enough’
“If I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I don't currently see a reason,” he said.
www.politico.com
May 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
A few thoughts. 🧵
First, after spending $290M+ getting Trump elected, Musk may not need to spend more, since he got what he wanted: a key role in the administration, top allies in important positions, investigations into his companies dropped, and potentially billions in new federal contracts.
First, after spending $290M+ getting Trump elected, Musk may not need to spend more, since he got what he wanted: a key role in the administration, top allies in important positions, investigations into his companies dropped, and potentially billions in new federal contracts.
Huh. As Trump pushes Rep. Lawler to "forget SALT" and vote for the GOP bill, Trump's latest fundraising appeals quietly route money to Lawler's campaign.
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
May 21, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Huh. As Trump pushes Rep. Lawler to "forget SALT" and vote for the GOP bill, Trump's latest fundraising appeals quietly route money to Lawler's campaign.
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
secure.winred.com/trump-nation...
Reposted by Brendan Fischer
I wrote a piece about tomorrow's crucial #Wisconsin Supreme Court election for @newyorker.com. Deepest thanks to all the people who shared their insights with me and to the phenomenal editorial staff at the magazine.
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Why Is Elon Musk Trying to Buy a Wisconsin Supreme Court Seat?
Tuesday’s election, as the only statewide race in the country before November, is a crucial test for the growing backlash against the Trump Administration’s agenda.
www.newyorker.com
March 31, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I wrote a piece about tomorrow's crucial #Wisconsin Supreme Court election for @newyorker.com. Deepest thanks to all the people who shared their insights with me and to the phenomenal editorial staff at the magazine.
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Musk backtracked on this legally-dubious plan, deleting his tweet and changing the terms of eligibility to comply with the law www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/u...
March 29, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Musk backtracked on this legally-dubious plan, deleting his tweet and changing the terms of eligibility to comply with the law www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/u...
Reposted by Brendan Fischer
Elon Musk said he would give $1 million checks to Wisconsin voters. Then he deleted the post.
Elon Musk said he would give $1 million checks to Wisconsin voters. Then he deleted the post.
Election law experts are skeptical about the billionaire's latest move.
www.politico.com
March 28, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Elon Musk said he would give $1 million checks to Wisconsin voters. Then he deleted the post.
Conditioning entry to this event and eligibility for the $1 million payout on whether someone has voted may violate Wisconsin law. The law prohibits offering or giving anything of value to induce a person to vote. Wis Stat 12.11.
March 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Conditioning entry to this event and eligibility for the $1 million payout on whether someone has voted may violate Wisconsin law. The law prohibits offering or giving anything of value to induce a person to vote. Wis Stat 12.11.
The deluge of unaccountable big money flooding the Wisconsin Supreme Court election is actually higher than has been reported, with potential implications for impartial justice.
🧵
🧵
$81 million has already been spent in the race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Here’s why:
The Most Expensive Judicial Election Ever
The race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court shows the need for reforms to protect judicial independence.
www.brennancenter.org
March 27, 2025 at 1:58 AM
The deluge of unaccountable big money flooding the Wisconsin Supreme Court election is actually higher than has been reported, with potential implications for impartial justice.
🧵
🧵
It is hardly the most consequential provision, but Trump’s new Executive Order directs DOJ to step-up enforcement of the ban on foreign political contributions…just after Trump’s DOJ dropped charges against Eric Adams for allegedly soliciting and accepting foreign political contributions.
March 26, 2025 at 2:59 AM
It is hardly the most consequential provision, but Trump’s new Executive Order directs DOJ to step-up enforcement of the ban on foreign political contributions…just after Trump’s DOJ dropped charges against Eric Adams for allegedly soliciting and accepting foreign political contributions.
March 24, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Elon Musk spent over $250 million helping elect Trump and his allies, and now stands to receive billions in new taxpayer-funded contracts from Trump's administration.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/u...
Musk’s SpaceX Could Secure Billions in New Contracts Under Trump
The boost in federal spending for SpaceX will come in part as a result of actions by President Trump and Elon Musk’s allies and employees who hold government positions. Supporters say he has the best ...
www.nytimes.com
March 24, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Elon Musk spent over $250 million helping elect Trump and his allies, and now stands to receive billions in new taxpayer-funded contracts from Trump's administration.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/u...
Elon Musk's super PAC re-upping its cash-for-registration tactic to obtain new voter data to influence the WI Supreme Court race. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/u...
But its paid canvassers are almost certainly drawing from the data Musk's PAC controversially (and arguably illegally) gathered in 2024.
But its paid canvassers are almost certainly drawing from the data Musk's PAC controversially (and arguably illegally) gathered in 2024.
March 21, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Elon Musk's super PAC re-upping its cash-for-registration tactic to obtain new voter data to influence the WI Supreme Court race. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/u...
But its paid canvassers are almost certainly drawing from the data Musk's PAC controversially (and arguably illegally) gathered in 2024.
But its paid canvassers are almost certainly drawing from the data Musk's PAC controversially (and arguably illegally) gathered in 2024.
“Participating in a classified briefing on the China threat with some of the most senior Pentagon and U.S. military officials would be a tremendously valuable opportunity for any defense contractor seeking to sell services to the military.” www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/u...
Musk Set to Get Access to Top-Secret U.S. Plan for Potential War With China
Giving Elon Musk access to some of the nation’s most closely guarded military secrets is a major expansion of his role as an adviser to President Trump and highlights his conflicts of interest.
www.nytimes.com
March 21, 2025 at 1:53 AM
“Participating in a classified briefing on the China threat with some of the most senior Pentagon and U.S. military officials would be a tremendously valuable opportunity for any defense contractor seeking to sell services to the military.” www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/u...
The First Amendment protects the right of billionaires like Elon Musk to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into elections to buy influence over government, but apparently does not protect the right of average people to express opinions disfavored by those in power. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/n...
How a Columbia Student Fled to Canada After ICE Came Looking for Her
Ranjani Srinivasan’s student visa was revoked by U.S. immigration authorities. That was just the start of her odyssey.
www.nytimes.com
March 16, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The First Amendment protects the right of billionaires like Elon Musk to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into elections to buy influence over government, but apparently does not protect the right of average people to express opinions disfavored by those in power. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/15/n...
The “drain the swamp,” “law and order” president is not only dismantling the federal government’s anti-corruption programs, but also pardoning or dropping corruption cases against his allies.
The latest beneficiary is Brian Kelsey. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/u...
The latest beneficiary is Brian Kelsey. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/u...
Trump Pardons Ex-Tennessee State Senator Imprisoned for Campaign Fraud
Brian Kelsey, a Republican, pleaded guilty to illegally funneling money to his failed campaign for Congress in 2016. He later tried unsuccessfully to withdraw his plea.
www.nytimes.com
March 13, 2025 at 6:15 PM
The “drain the swamp,” “law and order” president is not only dismantling the federal government’s anti-corruption programs, but also pardoning or dropping corruption cases against his allies.
The latest beneficiary is Brian Kelsey. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/u...
The latest beneficiary is Brian Kelsey. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/u...
Reposted by Brendan Fischer
“Throughout the 2024 cycle, we saw crypto money deployed to take out crypto critics and support crypto backers, and this might be an indication of how crypto not only attacks its enemies, but also also rewards its friends.” - @brendanfischer.bsky.social www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Dem Overseeing 'Digital Assets' to Hold Luxury Retreat With Crypto Kingpin
Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, who’s overseeing a “digital assets” committee, is set to hold a luxury weekend donor retreat with a crypto kingpin.
www.rollingstone.com
March 12, 2025 at 4:27 PM
“Throughout the 2024 cycle, we saw crypto money deployed to take out crypto critics and support crypto backers, and this might be an indication of how crypto not only attacks its enemies, but also also rewards its friends.” - @brendanfischer.bsky.social www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Brendan Fischer
DOJ’s Public Integrity Section leads cases of corruption by government officials, especially in smaller districts that lack resources and specialized expertise. Dismantling it is one more signal of open season for corruption.
Justice Department office that prosecutes public corruption slashed in size, sources say
Only a fraction of the Public Integrity Section’s employees — roughly a half-dozen — will remain in an office that had dozens of employees and oversaw cases nationwide.
www.nbcnews.com
March 12, 2025 at 12:48 AM
DOJ’s Public Integrity Section leads cases of corruption by government officials, especially in smaller districts that lack resources and specialized expertise. Dismantling it is one more signal of open season for corruption.
Prices remain stubbornly high and the average American’s 401k has plunged in value.
Meanwhile, Trump is using the power and prestige of the White House to boost the stock value of the luxury car company owned by a billionaire megadonor who just pledged another $100M to Trump’s political operation.
Meanwhile, Trump is using the power and prestige of the White House to boost the stock value of the luxury car company owned by a billionaire megadonor who just pledged another $100M to Trump’s political operation.
March 12, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Prices remain stubbornly high and the average American’s 401k has plunged in value.
Meanwhile, Trump is using the power and prestige of the White House to boost the stock value of the luxury car company owned by a billionaire megadonor who just pledged another $100M to Trump’s political operation.
Meanwhile, Trump is using the power and prestige of the White House to boost the stock value of the luxury car company owned by a billionaire megadonor who just pledged another $100M to Trump’s political operation.