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Lever Time

The Supreme Court Case That Got Us Here

Jan 24, 2025
James Bopp, an attorney and key architect behind Citizens United, discusses the monumental Supreme Court case that reshaped campaign finance in the U.S. He highlights the case's origins and the interplay between anti-abortion activism and political financing. The conversation dives into the rise of dark money in elections, the machinations behind the ruling, and the implications for democracy. Bopp also reflects on the legal strategies that transformed how candidates are funded, showcasing the ongoing battle for transparency in political campaigns.
01:01:12

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Quick takeaways

  • The Citizens United ruling has drastically transformed campaign financing, enabling over $58 billion in spending on congressional campaigns over the past 15 years.
  • Attorney James Bopp's strategic litigation efforts reshaped campaign finance laws, emphasizing the deregulation of spending to support anti-choice candidates.

Deep dives

The Impact of Citizens United on Campaign Financing

The Citizens United ruling has drastically transformed the landscape of campaign financing, enabling significant expenditures in elections. Since the ruling, over $58 billion has been spent on congressional campaigns, averaging more than $10 million daily across 15 years. The 2024 election notably became the most expensive in history, illustrating the power of mega donors in politics. Approximately half of Donald Trump's financial support stemmed from just ten wealthy contributors, demonstrating how the ruling facilitated financial power's influence over electoral outcomes.

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