Major financial backing is reshaping this year’s midterm elections, with billionaire donors injecting hundreds of millions into campaigns. Democratic candidates are receiving $80 million from Michael Bloomberg, while Donald Trump has pledged $400 million to support Republicans, with $300 million already distributed. The influx of funds—including $366 million from Elon Musk—has intensified as both parties vie for control of the House, though Democrats remain behind in overall fundraising. Meanwhile, a dispute over voter rolls in California has raised concerns about the accuracy of a Justice Department list flagging suspected noncitizens, with local officials questioning the reliability of the data.
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg is spending $80m to help Democratic candidates, while Trump has promised Republicans $400m. Plus a vital investigation into justice in LouisianaDon’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning. Vast sums of money are being ploughed into November’s midterms, with the billionaire Michael Bloomberg spending $80m to help Democratic candidates, and Donald Trump announcing he intends to spend $400m to aid Republican candidates, with $300m already disbursed.Bloomberg made the contributions in September and October, particularly focused on Democrats running to flip the US House of Representatives. Democrats believe they are favored to take back the House, though they’ve acknowledged trailing Republicans in fundraising. Republicans are also being aided by the president’s ally Elon Musk, who has spent $366m so far.What are the main issues for voters in the midterms? In this explainer, Robert Tait looks at six key issues swaying how people might vote – the economy, Iran, immigration, Trump’s use of power, AI and datacenters and the state of democracy and voter rights in the US.What is happening between the DoJ and California over voter rolls? The justice department’s list of suspected noncitizens in California includes a “high percentage” of people born in the US, Los Angeles election officials said. The statement, made in court papers, raises further questions about the reliability of the list of 20,000 people the DoJ is demanding be investigated.What was strange about how the ADL reminded people about an antisemitic slur? The Anti-Defamation League ADL has denounced the use of the term “shylock” as antisemitic, without explaining that the slur had been used a day earlier by Trump in a speech in Kansas. Continue reading...
