John, here’s a startling fact: the combined net worth of the four wealthiest people at Trump’s inauguration totaled $1.35 trillion dollars. [1] That’s nearly the same amount of money as Spain’s GDP. [2]

Additionally, it’s been reported that Elon Musk will be getting a West Wing Office and already has a government email. [3]

This is blatant pay-to-play politics at our nation’s most important office. In exchange for spending $277 million to elect Trump and other Republicans this year, Musk will lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to fire federal workers, cut social programs, and gut federal regulations. [4]

And he’ll do it all without needing Senate confirmation or needing to follow ethics and transparency standards that actual federal employees are required to.

John, this is NOT how our democracy should work.

When it comes to the issues that impact our everyday lives, We the People should be making decisions, not power-crazed billionaires.

And I’ll be honest: I know this concentration of wealth and the political power it buys seems insurmountable, but we have real, tangible solutions to our Big Money problem.

The Freedom to Vote Act and DISCLOSE Act will get dark money out of politics and amplify the voices of everyday Americans.

And we don’t need to wait on Congress either – Common Cause is already advancing crucial reforms to get Big Money out of politics in states across the country – with big wins in Oregon and Florida last year, and moving bills this year in states like California, Maryland, Michigan, and Nebraska.

This fight is an uphill battle, but it’s one that’s too important to give up on. This goes beyond Elon Musk or Citizens United – it’s about creating a government that works for all of us, regardless of our net worth.

We have the solutions and the dedication to make this a reality, but we need your help: Will you chip in $3 right now to help fuel our efforts to reign in Big Money’s influence on our democracy – to stop billionaires like Elon Musk from calling the shots?

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With your help, we can take one step towards ending the era of Big Money in politics.

Thanks for sticking with us,

Aaron Scherb, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs
and the team at Common Cause

[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2025/01/20/billionaires-worth-a-combined-12-trillion-attended-trumps-inauguration-heres-who-was-there-from-musk-to-bezos/
[2] https://tradingeconomics.com/spain/gdp
[3] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/20/us/politics/elon-musk-office-west-wing.html
[4] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/elon-musk-277-million-trump-republican-candidates-donations