Waldman says Musk's election spending should be made illegal again
Michael WaldmanPresident and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice
Waldman says Elon Musk's campaign spending should be made illegal again, blames the Supreme Court and the FEC for allowing it, and calls for reform after the election.
“A reckless Supreme Court and moribund Federal Election Commission took care of that. It should be made illegal again.”
Analysis
Where this statement fits
Citizens United: Corporate election spending and free speech
The Supreme Court protected corporate and union independent election spending in Citizens United. Defenders say the ruling protects political speech and association. Critics say it gives wealthy interests excessive influence and undermines democratic accountability.
Source and context
Analysis
About this source
Waldman criticizes Citizens United alongside later decisions and FEC inaction. His spending totals and causal claims remain attributed analysis.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Waldman writes that, not long ago, Elon Musk's spending on behalf of Republicans would have been flatly illegal.
After the quotation
He later writes that Citizens United, later court cases and an FEC without a quorum have deregulated money in politics, and that the election's aftermath must lead to reform.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is constitutional protection for independent corporate and union election spending. Waldman condemns campaign-finance deregulation, including Citizens United, and calls for renewed restrictions and reform.
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The Dispute Index. "Waldman says Musk's election spending should be made illegal again". First published: 2026-10-19. Last updated: 2026-10-19. https://disputeindex.com/events/6044-waldman-says-elon-musk-s-campaign-spending-should