In "Billionaires and Stealth Politics," authors Benjamin I. Page, Jason Seawright, and Matthew J. Lacombe meticulously unveil the covert operations through which America's wealthiest individuals exert an increasingly dominant influence over the country's democratic processes. With the 2016 election of Donald Trump as a backdrop—a candidate who promised independence from the wealthy elite, only to later champion their interests—the book explores the paradox of a political landscape that grows more oligarchic as it professes democracy. The authors dissect how, beyond the visible spectrum of campaign donations and public endorsements, billionaires engage in "stealth politics." This involves a strategic blend of policy advocacy, behind-the-scenes funding, and influence over public discourse, all while maintaining a low profile to avoid public scrutiny and backlash. Page, Seawright, and Lacombe argue that this surreptitious engagement not only undermines the principles of democratic accountability but also skews policy outcomes towards the preferences of the wealthy, often at the expense of the broader public interest. Through a rigorous analysis of political contributions, policy preferences, and the billionaires' tactics to shape public policy in shadows, the book illuminates the hidden mechanisms that enable the ultra-rich to maintain and grow their power, quietly steering the direction of American democracy. Ultimately, "Billionaires and Stealth Politics" is a clarion call for reforms aimed at restoring transparency and equity to the political process, suggesting pathways toward a more inclusive democracy that genuinely reflects the will and welfare of all Americans, not just those at the apex of economic power.