Justin Elliott
@justinelliott.bsky.social
ProPublica reporter. Email tips/comments/complaints: [email protected]
Signal: https://www.propublica.org/people/justin-elliott/
More: justinelliott.co
Signal: https://www.propublica.org/people/justin-elliott/
More: justinelliott.co
Reposted by Justin Elliott
NEW: The Trump administration is planning to use AI to write federal regulations despite the risk of hallucinations.
“We don't even need a very good rule,” the Transportation Department’s top lawyer said of the plan, per meeting notes reviewed by ProPublica. “We want good enough.”🧵
“We don't even need a very good rule,” the Transportation Department’s top lawyer said of the plan, per meeting notes reviewed by ProPublica. “We want good enough.”🧵
January 26, 2026 at 12:40 PM
NEW: The Trump administration is planning to use AI to write federal regulations despite the risk of hallucinations.
“We don't even need a very good rule,” the Transportation Department’s top lawyer said of the plan, per meeting notes reviewed by ProPublica. “We want good enough.”🧵
“We don't even need a very good rule,” the Transportation Department’s top lawyer said of the plan, per meeting notes reviewed by ProPublica. “We want good enough.”🧵
Reposted by Justin Elliott
A billionaire known as “Bitcoin Jesus” was under indictment for massive criminal tax fraud and very likely going to prison.
Then, he hired a “Friend of Trump” and the criminal charges disappeared.
How did they do it? Avi Asher-Schapiro and I spent months getting the inside story.
Then, he hired a “Friend of Trump” and the criminal charges disappeared.
How did they do it? Avi Asher-Schapiro and I spent months getting the inside story.
January 22, 2026 at 3:58 PM
A billionaire known as “Bitcoin Jesus” was under indictment for massive criminal tax fraud and very likely going to prison.
Then, he hired a “Friend of Trump” and the criminal charges disappeared.
How did they do it? Avi Asher-Schapiro and I spent months getting the inside story.
Then, he hired a “Friend of Trump” and the criminal charges disappeared.
How did they do it? Avi Asher-Schapiro and I spent months getting the inside story.
Reposted by Justin Elliott
BREAKING:
We've found 40+ cases of agents using banned chokeholds & other moves that can cut off breathing
People have had seizures. They passed out.
“I felt like I was going to die” said 16-yr-old citizen
Admin won't say whether any agents have been punished
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
We've found 40+ cases of agents using banned chokeholds & other moves that can cut off breathing
People have had seizures. They passed out.
“I felt like I was going to die” said 16-yr-old citizen
Admin won't say whether any agents have been punished
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
January 13, 2026 at 12:06 PM
BREAKING:
We've found 40+ cases of agents using banned chokeholds & other moves that can cut off breathing
People have had seizures. They passed out.
“I felt like I was going to die” said 16-yr-old citizen
Admin won't say whether any agents have been punished
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
We've found 40+ cases of agents using banned chokeholds & other moves that can cut off breathing
People have had seizures. They passed out.
“I felt like I was going to die” said 16-yr-old citizen
Admin won't say whether any agents have been punished
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Reposted by Justin Elliott
NEW: Here's the searing tale of one woman's struggle to feed her family after the Trump Administration imposed a man-made food crisis.
Beautifully written by Brett Murphy & @annamaria.bsky.social
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Beautifully written by Brett Murphy & @annamaria.bsky.social
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
The Summer of Starvation: Amid Trump’s Foreign Aid Cuts, a Mother Struggles to Keep Her Sons Alive
After the Trump administration cut off food from the third-largest refugee camp in the world, thousands of families faced impossible choices as their children starved.
www.propublica.org
December 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
NEW: Here's the searing tale of one woman's struggle to feed her family after the Trump Administration imposed a man-made food crisis.
Beautifully written by Brett Murphy & @annamaria.bsky.social
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Beautifully written by Brett Murphy & @annamaria.bsky.social
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Reposted by Justin Elliott
Amidst the Trump administration's attacks on "illegal" DEI, @propublica.org has found more than 1,000 nonprofits that revised the mission statements on their tax forms to remove terms like "racism" and "marginalized." Half who made changes reported no govt funding.
www.propublica.org/article/dele...
www.propublica.org/article/dele...
Under Trump, More Than 1,000 Nonprofits Strip DEI Language From Tax Forms
As the Trump administration ordered agencies to eradicate “illegal” diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, we identified more than 1,000 nonprofits that removed such language from the mission statem...
www.propublica.org
December 17, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Amidst the Trump administration's attacks on "illegal" DEI, @propublica.org has found more than 1,000 nonprofits that revised the mission statements on their tax forms to remove terms like "racism" and "marginalized." Half who made changes reported no govt funding.
www.propublica.org/article/dele...
www.propublica.org/article/dele...
Reposted by Justin Elliott
NEW: One of the most significant accomplishments of the Trump Admin: Decimating the US's humanitarian aid.
We went to S. Sudan to see the effects.
Rubio says no one has died from the cuts.
Spoiler: That's not true.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy:
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
We went to S. Sudan to see the effects.
Rubio says no one has died from the cuts.
Spoiler: That's not true.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy:
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera.
Behind closed doors in Washington, top advisers made a series of decisions that had devastating repercussions for the poorest country on earth. We went to South Sudan and found people who died as a re...
www.propublica.org
December 15, 2025 at 12:10 PM
NEW: One of the most significant accomplishments of the Trump Admin: Decimating the US's humanitarian aid.
We went to S. Sudan to see the effects.
Rubio says no one has died from the cuts.
Spoiler: That's not true.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy:
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
We went to S. Sudan to see the effects.
Rubio says no one has died from the cuts.
Spoiler: That's not true.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy:
www.propublica.org/article/usai...
Have information we should know about this or something else? Get in touch:
December 8, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Have information we should know about this or something else? Get in touch:
The White House said in a statement there was “no defraudation” because Trump used the same lender for each mortgage.
December 8, 2025 at 12:54 PM
The White House said in a statement there was “no defraudation” because Trump used the same lender for each mortgage.
But Trump’s two mortgages clearly exceed his own standard for “mortgage fraud.”
We found numerous rental listings for the properties.
The listing agent from the ‘90s told us in an interview: “They were rentals from the beginning.” “President Trump never lived there.”
We found numerous rental listings for the properties.
The listing agent from the ‘90s told us in an interview: “They were rentals from the beginning.” “President Trump never lived there.”
December 8, 2025 at 12:54 PM
But Trump’s two mortgages clearly exceed his own standard for “mortgage fraud.”
We found numerous rental listings for the properties.
The listing agent from the ‘90s told us in an interview: “They were rentals from the beginning.” “President Trump never lived there.”
We found numerous rental listings for the properties.
The listing agent from the ‘90s told us in an interview: “They were rentals from the beginning.” “President Trump never lived there.”
For months Trump has accused political enemies of mortgage fraud for just this: claiming more than one primary residence. Trump called one who did so “deceitful” and “CROOKED.”
(Experts say having two such mortgages can be valid and even when wrong is rarely prosecuted.)
(Experts say having two such mortgages can be valid and even when wrong is rarely prosecuted.)
December 8, 2025 at 12:54 PM
For months Trump has accused political enemies of mortgage fraud for just this: claiming more than one primary residence. Trump called one who did so “deceitful” and “CROOKED.”
(Experts say having two such mortgages can be valid and even when wrong is rarely prosecuted.)
(Experts say having two such mortgages can be valid and even when wrong is rarely prosecuted.)
But there’s no evidence Trump moved in. The homes were used as investments and rented out, according to news accounts and an interview with his longtime realtor.
Trump “hired an expensive New York design firm” to “dress them up to the nines and lease them out annually.”
Trump “hired an expensive New York design firm” to “dress them up to the nines and lease them out annually.”
December 8, 2025 at 12:54 PM
But there’s no evidence Trump moved in. The homes were used as investments and rented out, according to news accounts and an interview with his longtime realtor.
Trump “hired an expensive New York design firm” to “dress them up to the nines and lease them out annually.”
Trump “hired an expensive New York design firm” to “dress them up to the nines and lease them out annually.”
He got two mortgages just seven weeks apart. The two documents Trump personally signed said he would make each home his principal residence for a year, unless the lender agreed otherwise.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Trump mortgage 1993
www.documentcloud.org
December 8, 2025 at 12:54 PM
He got two mortgages just seven weeks apart. The two documents Trump personally signed said he would make each home his principal residence for a year, unless the lender agreed otherwise.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
The year was 1993. Trump was dealing with the business wreckage from a series of high profile bankruptcies and he had just married Marla Maples. In Palm Beach, he was pushing to turn Mar-a-Lago into a private club, and he decided to acquire two properties next door on Woodbridge Road.
December 8, 2025 at 12:54 PM
The year was 1993. Trump was dealing with the business wreckage from a series of high profile bankruptcies and he had just married Marla Maples. In Palm Beach, he was pushing to turn Mar-a-Lago into a private club, and he decided to acquire two properties next door on Woodbridge Road.
NEW:
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @robert-faturechi.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @robert-faturechi.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
The Trump administration has argued that Fed board member Lisa Cook may have committed mortgage fraud by declaring more than one primary residence on her loans. We found Trump once did the very thing ...
www.propublica.org
December 8, 2025 at 12:32 PM
NEW:
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @robert-faturechi.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
w/ @robert-faturechi.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Reposted by Justin Elliott
So Jim Justice is one of the wealthiest people in the country.
And in 2021, we wrote a story about how almost never paid taxes
www.propublica.org/article/how-...
And in 2021, we wrote a story about how almost never paid taxes
www.propublica.org/article/how-...
November 25, 2025 at 1:28 AM
So Jim Justice is one of the wealthiest people in the country.
And in 2021, we wrote a story about how almost never paid taxes
www.propublica.org/article/how-...
And in 2021, we wrote a story about how almost never paid taxes
www.propublica.org/article/how-...
New:
Lawmakers Call for Probe of How Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
www.propublica.org/article/kris...
w/ @josh-kaplan.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Lawmakers Call for Probe of How Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
www.propublica.org/article/kris...
w/ @josh-kaplan.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Lawmakers Call for Probe of How Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
The demands for an investigation come after a ProPublica story revealed that the Noem-connected Strategy Group was secretly a subcontractor on the ad campaign.
www.propublica.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
New:
Lawmakers Call for Probe of How Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
www.propublica.org/article/kris...
w/ @josh-kaplan.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Lawmakers Call for Probe of How Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Got Piece of $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
www.propublica.org/article/kris...
w/ @josh-kaplan.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Reposted by Justin Elliott
NEW: When Andrew Tate landed in the US, Customs & Border Protection seized his electronic devices. But @propublica.org found that a White House official told DHS to return the devices, emphasizing that the request came from the White House.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Federal authorities were chided for seizing electronic devices from Tate and his brother, and told to return them, records and interviews show. Experts said the intervention was highly inappropriate.
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:31 AM
NEW: When Andrew Tate landed in the US, Customs & Border Protection seized his electronic devices. But @propublica.org found that a White House official told DHS to return the devices, emphasizing that the request came from the White House.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
Reposted by Justin Elliott
New: FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff
As the FBI’s deputy director, Bongino receives some of the country’s most sensitive secrets, including the President’s Daily Brief. His ascent to that position without passing a standard bureau backgr...
www.propublica.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:49 PM
New: FBI Director Kash Patel Waived Polygraph Security Screening for Dan Bongino, Two Other Senior Staff www.propublica.org/article/fbi-...
Reposted by Justin Elliott
NEW: We’ve uncovered the first known example of taxpayer money flowing from DHS to businesses controlled by Kristi Noem’s allies and friends.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
November 14, 2025 at 12:20 PM
NEW: We’ve uncovered the first known example of taxpayer money flowing from DHS to businesses controlled by Kristi Noem’s allies and friends.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
It’s part of a money trail that’s been shrouded in secrecy—and involves $220 million, a mysterious Delaware LLC & a horse named Gill.
We're still reporting; if you have information we should have, get in touch
November 14, 2025 at 12:19 PM
We're still reporting; if you have information we should have, get in touch
NEW:
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
www.propublica.org/article/kris...
w @josh-kaplan.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
www.propublica.org/article/kris...
w @josh-kaplan.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rule...
www.propublica.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:18 PM
NEW:
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
www.propublica.org/article/kris...
w @josh-kaplan.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts
www.propublica.org/article/kris...
w @josh-kaplan.bsky.social @amierjeski.bsky.social
Reposted by Justin Elliott
JOB ALERT! We are hiring a business editor.
You have an unerring instinct for the jugular of the wealthy & powerful? Build a team with me and we’ll get after it!
job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
You can email me or on Signal at 718-496-5233
You have an unerring instinct for the jugular of the wealthy & powerful? Build a team with me and we’ll get after it!
job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
You can email me or on Signal at 718-496-5233
Senior Editor, Business
New York City, United States
job-boards.greenhouse.io
November 12, 2025 at 2:43 PM
JOB ALERT! We are hiring a business editor.
You have an unerring instinct for the jugular of the wealthy & powerful? Build a team with me and we’ll get after it!
job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
You can email me or on Signal at 718-496-5233
You have an unerring instinct for the jugular of the wealthy & powerful? Build a team with me and we’ll get after it!
job-boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/j...
You can email me or on Signal at 718-496-5233
Reposted by Justin Elliott
SCOOP
The admin is making it harder for male vets w/ breast cancer to get their care covered
The admin cites Trump order: “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”
I got the memo laying it all out
www.propublica.org/article/vete...
The admin is making it harder for male vets w/ breast cancer to get their care covered
The admin cites Trump order: “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”
I got the memo laying it all out
www.propublica.org/article/vete...
Citing Trump Order on “Biological Truth,” VA Makes It Harder for Male Veterans With Breast Cancer to Get Coverage
A Department of Veterans Affairs memo obtained by ProPublica erects new roadblocks to care for veterans with the rare but deadly cancer. The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive orde...
www.propublica.org
October 29, 2025 at 11:15 AM
SCOOP
The admin is making it harder for male vets w/ breast cancer to get their care covered
The admin cites Trump order: “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”
I got the memo laying it all out
www.propublica.org/article/vete...
The admin is making it harder for male vets w/ breast cancer to get their care covered
The admin cites Trump order: “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”
I got the memo laying it all out
www.propublica.org/article/vete...
Here is our full story that Vance is dismissing, with primary source documents showing Trump cabinet members with multiple primary-residence mortgages
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
October 12, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Here is our full story that Vance is dismissing, with primary source documents showing Trump cabinet members with multiple primary-residence mortgages
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
New: Elon Musk’s SpaceX Took Money Directly From Chinese Investors, Company Insider Testifies
www.propublica.org/article/elon...
www.propublica.org/article/elon...
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Took Money Directly From Chinese Investors, Company Insider Testifies
The newly unsealed testimony marks the first time direct Chinese investment in the company has been disclosed, raising new questions about foreign ownership interests in one of America’s most importan...
www.propublica.org
October 2, 2025 at 12:17 PM
New: Elon Musk’s SpaceX Took Money Directly From Chinese Investors, Company Insider Testifies
www.propublica.org/article/elon...
www.propublica.org/article/elon...