Billionaires, dark money fuel questions ahead of 2026 midterms

CBS News
April 15, 2026
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Wealthy donors are preparing to spend millions to influence the 2026 midterm elections and control Congress.

How This Affects You

Significant financial contributions from wealthy donors could influence political outcomes and policy decisions that affect your daily life and future.

AI Summary

Billionaires and dark money groups are preparing to inject tens of millions of dollars into the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. This significant financial influx from the ultra-wealthy donor class raises questions about its influence on the electoral process. The substantial funding aims to shape the outcome of the fall elections, which will determine control of Congress. This mobilization of "dark money" means the sources of some donations may not be publicly disclosed, further complicating transparency. The spending surge could significantly impact races across the country, influencing legislative priorities and political power dynamics.

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Bernie Sanders warns ‘worst is yet to come’ in rallying cry against billionaires
Politics

Bernie Sanders warns ‘worst is yet to come’ in rallying cry against billionaires

<p>US senator appears at Manhattan rally alongside New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, who cautioned that AI is ‘coming for human jobs’</p><p>Bernie Sanders has sounded an alarm over the US economy, warning “the worst is yet to come” unless workers overcome a “ruling class” of billionaires.</p><p>The US senator spoke at a rally in Manhattan on Sunday alongside Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor, who cautioned that artificial intelligence was “coming for human jobs” amid mounting concern over the technology’s rapid development.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/13/bernie-sanders-warns-worst-is-yet-to-come-in-rallying-cry-against-billionaires">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian US NewsApr 13
European airlines could run out of jet fuel 'in six weeks'
Corporate

European airlines could run out of jet fuel 'in six weeks'

European airlines could run out of jet fuel in six weeks' time. That's the warning from the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, who says passengers should expect fewer flights and higher prices. Carriers are already reducing their flight schedules ahead of the summer holiday season. Also in the show - European officials urge governments not to forget the Ukraine war, saying that Russia's economy cannot be allowed to benefit from the energy shock.

AFP / France 24Apr 16
Trump NRA snub fuels questions about key GOP ally’s influence
Politics

Trump NRA snub fuels questions about key GOP ally’s influence

President Trump is skipping the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) annual convention this weekend, his second snub in as many years of an organization long seen as a key political ally for Republicans. The move marks his second consecutive absence from the NRA’s annual meeting — held this year on April 16-19 in Houston, Texas —…

The HillApr 18
Meet the new power players raising massive money for the midterms - Politico
Politics

Meet the new power players raising massive money for the midterms - Politico

PoliticoApr 17
Albanese cuts fuel diplomacy mission short to rush to Geelong as Bowen calls oil refinery fire ‘a setback’
Finance

Albanese cuts fuel diplomacy mission short to rush to Geelong as Bowen calls oil refinery fire ‘a setback’

<p>Some petrol stations may see short-term fuel outages as refinery output slows, but national supplies should not be affected</p><ul><li><p>Full report: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/16/viva-oil-refinery-fire-corio-geelong-victoria-fuel-prices">Geelong oil refinery fire</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/16/australian-oil-refinery-fire-geelong-cause-what-we-know-so-far">Geelong oil refinery fire: what we know so far</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/apr/16/anthony-albanese-brunei-visit-fuel-crisis-labor-richard-marles-coalition-immigration-plan-angus-taylor-employment-figures-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

The Guardian World NewsApr 16
MAGA allies say Trump is going soft on deportations, demand "Phase 2"
Politics

MAGA allies say Trump is going soft on deportations, demand "Phase 2"

<p>An angry coalition of conservatives say President Trump is flirting with betraying his biggest campaign promise on <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/15/trump-deportations-ice-polls-immigration" target="_blank">mass deportations</a> — and the voters who put him there.</p><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>The White House is backing away from <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/10/white-house-house-republicans-mass-deportations" target="_blank">deportations rhetoric</a> ahead of the midterms, infuriating the once-fringe immigration hardliners who considered Trump their last shot at reversing decades of mass migration. </p><hr><ul><li>"Our basic goal of the mass deportation coalition is to actually provide Trump with what we call kind of a right flank, saying, 'No, Mr. President, you're listening to the wrong people,'" Mark Morgan, the former head of ICE and Customs and Border Protection, told Axios.</li></ul><p><strong>The big picture:</strong> The Mass Deportation Coaliti...

AxiosApr 13
Read Next
Trump, IRS in talks to settle US president's $10 billion lawsuit - Reuters
Politics

Trump, IRS in talks to settle US president's $10 billion lawsuit - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxOd0lMR1BZemlObTBWWVBoMzRxc3dsZ1NnOTVzMXpibFJweGdqb0Y3VUIxYlJsSl9fR2xtVXVTdUhrY2JYbkJJY3pDRFpPUmxxUzNZNzVwWDZ4cV9RREtzX0kxcXpKbzY1bkxlUVk5YmcwWFZySXJPbXZ5ankxX29oek1kdHpUM3JFVjlfZV84d3pFNmF2WGVLRXNhZVBLTDhnQS1RNUFGM0JjYWdG?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump, IRS in talks to settle US president's $10 billion lawsuit</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources