Really, this is news!? Billionaires wanting to use their wealth for influence is news? Come on, influencing politicians has helped many of them accumulate their incredible wealth. (Where would Elon Musk be without those government handouts? Still wealthy, but...)
For those surprised: What billionaires want: the secret influence of America’s 100 richest
At some level, is part of this money not simply virtue signalling but protection being paid to politicians?