The Supreme Court Case That Sold Our Democracy to the Highest Bidder
Dahlia Taha
The Supreme Court Case That Sold Our Democracy to the Highest Bidder
Unpacking Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
Nov 24, 2025
By: Dahlia Taha
Every election season feels louder, more expensive, and more overwhelming. Ads everywhere, talking points everywhere, funded by people we never see. That reality traces back to one moment: the Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
If you’ve ever wondered why money seems to run our politics, this is why.
What the Case Actually Decided
Citizens United decided whether the government could limit how much corporations and unions spend on political messaging. The Court said no. It ruled that spending in politics is a form of speech protected by the First Amendment.
This opened the door for unlimited political spending as long as it isn’t directly coordinated with a candidate. That line became blurry almost immediately, and Super PACs exploded.
A Super PAC can raise and spend unlimited money on elections. They can’t donate directly to a campaign, but they can run ads, shape messaging, and influence conversations at a massive scale.
For example, during a major Senate race, a single Super PAC can spend ten million dollars on TV ads attacking or promoting a candidate, all without ever speaking to them.
That one shift changed everything.
How It Shows Up Today
The effects are clear in how our politics looks and feels now.
- The loudest voices are the wealthiest
Most voters donate small amounts or volunteer. Meanwhile, a handful of donors can spend millions and steer entire races. Ordinary people matter, but they’re competing with a nonstop financial machine. - Policy debates tilt toward big donors
Campaigns depend on major funders, so certain issues rise or disappear based on donor interests. You see this in environmental policy, tech regulation, labor issues, foreign policy, and more. - The rise of outrage politics
Fundraising thrives on drama. Loud, dramatic messaging brings in more money. Citizens United didn’t create this, but it supercharged it. Outrage became profitable. Calm explanations don’t raise the same money.
Think: immigration, abortion, guns, transgender men in women’s sports. - Regular people struggle to run for office
Competitive races now require enormous money. Many community leaders never run because they can’t keep up. Politics becomes dominated by those who can self-fund or tap wealthy networks.
Why This Matters in 2025
Trust in government feels unstable. Voters across parties worry their voices are being pushed aside. Communities feel unseen. The gap between public interest and political decision-making keeps growing.
Citizens United added fuel to all of this. It created a system where wealth amplifies power, corporate interests influence policy, and community needs struggle to break through.
But it isn’t irreversible.
Bipartisanship: Now or Never
Money’s power in politics affects everyone. That’s why bipartisanship matters. When leaders only listen to their own side, reform stalls. When people across parties recognize they share a stake in a fair democracy, change becomes possible. Restoring trust requires cooperation and leaders willing to put country over party.
The Bigger Question
Citizens United forces us to ask who our political system is supposed to serve. If it’s meant to serve communities and voters, not wealthy interests, then we have to address the imbalance this ruling created.
Democracy works best when everyone’s voice matters, not just the richest.
Citizens United may define the rules today, but we are not obligated to accept them forever. Reform is possible. A healthier system is possible.
The first step is understanding how we got here and refusing to let money speak louder than the people.
