New York Times reporters Shane Goldmacher and Theodore Schleifer revealed at least $1 billion in dark money — anonymous donations — flowing into midterm elections. In a discussion with deputy editor Amy Gardner, Schleifer explained how money influences politics: candidates prefer more funding, but can win with less or turn opponent funding into a liability. Gardner noted evolving voter media consumption — influencers, social media, online ads — questions traditional TV ad effectiveness.

Dark money, Schleifer clarified, technically means spending by entities that don't disclose donors, usually nonprofits, not all super PACs. Post-Citizens United (2010), dark-money groups increased, often passing funds through intricate webs. Tracing it relies on public nonprofit spending records: mail disclosures, TV ad buys tracked by media firms, and super PAC donation paperwork. "Good luck tracing all of it," Schleifer said of the layered transfers.