The Lawsuit That Could Change American Elections | Lawrence Lessig | Shane Smith Has Questions
VICE News
Aug 6, 2026 18:34
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Can one lawsuit change the future of American elections?
Harvard Law professor Lawrence Lessig believes it can.
Most Americans blame Citizens United for the rise of Super PACs—but Lessig argues that's not actually what happened. Now, after years of litigation, a new court case could finally give the Supreme Court a chance to decide whether unlimited donations to Super PACs are constitutional at all.
If the courts rule in his favor, the decision could dramatically reshape campaign finance before the 2028 presidential election by allowing limits on massive contributions to Super PACs once again.
In this conversation, Shane Smith and Lawrence Lessig discuss:
- Why almost everyone misunderstands Citizens United
- The legal mistake Lessig says created Super PACs
- Elon Musk's reported $270 million in political donations—and why it matters to this case
- Whether billionaires are effectively buying political influence
- Why this case is likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court if the current ruling stands
- What American elections could look like if Super PACs were fundamentally changed
Whether you agree or disagree with the current campaign finance system, this is one of the most consequential legal challenges to election law.
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The Lawsuit That Could Change American Elections | Lawrence Lessig | Shane Smith Has Questions
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