How Marc Elias's Legal Move Boosted Trump

In March, a significant change in campaign finance rules happened, thanks to a petition from Democratic lawyer Marc Elias. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) allowed political campaigns and outside political action committees (PACs) to work together on canvassing efforts to get out the vote. This was opposed by some watchdog groups who feared it would give wealthy donors too much influence. Surprisingly, this new rule helped President Trump’s 2024 campaign. A PAC backed by Elon Musk, for instance, spent over $250 million supporting Trump.

This collaboration wasn't just limited to Musk; another group tied to Senator J. D. Vance’s allies also contributed heavily. The new rules let campaigns share voter data and coordinate canvassing efforts with outside groups, even if those groups aren’t subject to the same fundraising limits. This means campaigns can save resources while still getting the help they need. Some lawyers and watchdogs argue this is a big change in how campaigns will operate in the future.

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