Citizens United (the Supreme Court case)

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) is a landmark Supreme Court case that ruled corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on political campaigns under the First Amendment. The case arose when Citizens United, a non-profit organization, wanted to air a film criticizing then-Senator Hillary Clinton before the 2008 election. The Court determined that such spending constitutes free speech, thus allowing for greater financial influence in politics. This decision sparked ongoing debates about the role of money in elections and its impact on democracy, leading to concerns about transparency and the power of wealthy entities in shaping political discourse.