Billionaires Spent Nearly $5 Billion to Influence U.S. Politics

Washington, D.C. — A yearlong investigation published Friday by The Washington Post reveals how a small group of billionaires has exploited loopholes in the political system to contribute nearly $5 billion to U.S. elections between 2015 and 2024. This influx of cash has allowed them to exert significant influence over both local and national political agendas.

The report highlights that in 2024, over 80% of federal campaign spending by the 100 richest Americans flowed to political candidates who aligned with their interests, further entrenching their power. Leading the list of contributors is Miriam Adelson, alongside her late husband Sheldon, who contributed $621 million to federal races and $37 million to state campaigns, primarily supporting Republican candidates, including President Donald Trump.

The investigation notes other prominent contributors, such as former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, shipping magnates Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, and investor George Soros. The Post attributes the rise in massive political donations to a series of federal court decisions, starting with the 2010 case of Citizens United vs. FEC, which removed limitations on campaign spending.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) called this trend the “original sin,” stating that “five Republican appointees, many helped onto the Court by billionaires, opened the floodgates for unlimited political spending.” He criticized the lack of oversight on anonymous contributions, which he claims has allowed political spending to become corruptive.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) echoed these concerns, urging for the overturning of Citizens United and advocating for public funding of elections. According to his analysis, a majority of Americans believe that billionaires should not be allowed to monopolize the election process.

A survey conducted by The Post, which included 2,500 participants, found that 58% of Americans disapprove of billionaire involvement in elections. Leah Welde, a 29-year-old graduate student, encapsulated public sentiment when she stated, “To be sitting on that amount of money while citizens in this country are unhoused, hungry, and without medical care is abhorrent.”

The Post’s findings underscore a growing worry over the disproportionate influence that a small number of wealthy individuals exert on U.S. democracy.