Digital Rally: #StopTheOligarchy
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The Anniversary of Citizens United
Today is the anniversary of one of the most politically consequential Supreme Court rulings in modern history.
It’s quite fitting that the anniversary comes one day after the country’s three richest men sat squarely behind Donald Trump at his inauguration.
Well, today we’re storming social media to push back against the burgeoning oligarchy! Use this social toolkit to spread messaging. We are doing concentrated pushes on Twitter at 1pm ET and Bluesky at 2:30pm ET to ignite platform-specific trends. (But you are of course free to post wherever, whenever you want!)
Background: Talking Points from End Citizens United
Topline Talking Points
Donald Trump’s inauguration isn’t just the start of his new term––it’s also the beginning of an oligarchy that’s been 15 years in the making.
One day after Trump takes office, we’ll mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United decision––the ruling that allowed billionaires to take over our government.
The timing of these two events couldn’t be more fitting.
In the Citizens United v FEC decision, the conservative wing of the Supreme Court opened the floodgates of unlimited money in our elections, effectively putting a price tag on government.
It was intended to give wealthy donors and special interests outsized influence in Washington—and it worked.
The results are now on full display in Trump’s incoming administration—a Billionaire’s Ball where wealthy campaign donors are set to make out like bandits while the American people pay the price.
Wealthy donors who spent more than $300 million during the 2024 election to bankroll Trump’s campaign have been rewarded with cabinet appointments and positions of power to regulate their own interests.
The potential impacts of this corruption are grave:
Cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Repeal of price caps on insulin and Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug costs.
Price hikes on consumer goods to fund tax breaks for the wealthy and biggest corporations.
Repeal of worker and consumer protections that hold corporations accountable.
Undermine environmental protections that protect our air and water.
The Corrupt Cabinet
Elon Musk, the richest man ever, spent more than $277 million to elect Donald Trump, and in return Trump gave him power to benefit his companies and slash services for working Americans.
Musk’s companies have received at least $15 billion in government contracts over the past decade, and now he’s placed close allies into key positions that oversee his industries hold enormous influence over federal contracts:
Brendan Carr, who has been tapped to be Chair of the FCC, has vowed to enact policies that benefit X. Additionally, Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service could benefit from access to federal cash through the FCC.
Jared Issacman, who has been appointed NASA Administrator, is a billionaire private astronaut and close associate of Elon Musk who would oversee an agency that oversees billions of dollars in government contracts for SpaceX.
Paul Atkins, who has been appointed to be chair of the SEC, was previously head of the crypto lobby and has vowed to enact more crypto friendly policies—a top priority to Musk and his Silicon Valley allies.
Trump’s appointed at least 13 billionaires to his cabinet and mega-donors to positions without qualifications:
Billionaire wrestling tycoon Linda McMahon gave Trump millions and is now tasked with abolishing the Department of Education, including billions in federal funding it provides to public schools and special education programs.
Private equity financiers and major donors with no military experience John Phelan and Stephen Feinberg were appointed to be secretary of the Navy and deputy defense secretary, respectively.
Feinberg’s private equity firm holds lucrative investments in defense contractors.
Billionaire pharmaceutical magnate Vivek Ramaswamy has been appointed to oversee budgeting and regulation of the FDA and Medicare, which could help boost his wealth.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, who has made a fortune as a snake oil salesman, has been appointed to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), despite having owned up to $33 million in stock in three companies that have direct involvement with CMS.
Corporate lobbyists have been appointed by Trump to key posts overseeing their former clients, including: Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff, Pam Bondi as Attorney General, Sean Duffy as Transportation Secretary, and Jameson Greer as Trade Representative.
At least five of Bondi’s major lobbying clients faced DOJ fines, investigations, or related scrutiny that could pose serious conflicts if she is confirmed as Attorney General.
Citizens United: By the Numbers
$15 Billion in outside spending has been made since the Citizens United decision.
A record $4.5 billion in outside spending was made in the 2024 elections, 800% more outside money spent in the last presidential election pre-Citizens United.
Two thirds of the outside spending in the 2024 election came from groups that do not fully disclose the source of the funding.
A record $1.3 billion in dark money was steered to super PACs spending on 2024 federal elections.
3 donors provided $521 million to support Trump in the 2024 election, more than one third of all the money raised.
More than $300 million was spent by wealthy donors to support Trump’s campaign who have since been appointed to various positions in the incoming Trump Administration.
According to OpenSecrets analysis of disclosed contributions in the 2024 election (not including donations given to dark money groups that don’t disclose donors):
Finance, insurance and real estate interests spent over $600 million in the 2024 elections to both candidates and outside groups, nearly 65% of which was in support of Republicans.
Transportation interests spent over $328 million, over 96% of which was in support of Republicans.
Healthcare interests spent over $235 million, nearly 65% of which was in support of Republicans.
Energy and natural resources interests spent over $63 million, nearly 85% of which was in support of Republicans.
Agribusiness interests spent nearly $40 million, over 75% of which was in support of Republicans.
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