By — Jill Colvin, Associated Press Jill Colvin, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/elon-musk-quietly-becomes-biggest-known-donor-in-midterm-contests-as-he-tries-to-save-republicans Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Elon Musk quietly becomes biggest known donor in midterm contests as he tries to save Republicans Politics Oct 12, 2026 11:56 AM EDT NEW YORK (AP) — Elon Musk, the world's only trillionaire, has quietly become the biggest known donor in this year's midterm elections, doling out more than $276 million since July to try to save Republican majorities in Congress. The numbers, first reported by the New York Times ahead of this week's federal filing deadline, were confirmed by Andrew Romeo, a spokesperson for Musk's super PAC. WATCH: New documentary traces Elon Musk's rise and embrace of right-wing politics The money includes $158 million given to the Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC supporting Republican Senate candidates, one of the largest known political donations in American history. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Another $76 million went to America PAC, a Musk super PAC, which has once again built out a major turnout operation like the one it used to help elect President Donald Trump in 2024. Musk also provided $10 million to Lone Star Liberty PAC, a group that supports the Republican nominee for Senate in Texas, Ken Paxton. WATCH: Trump awards Elon Musk the National Medal of Science, among other awards for tech execs It's a dramatic turnaround since last May, when Musk said he intended to cut back on future political spending. "I think I've done enough," he said at the time. Despite the cash infusion, Musk has generally kept a lower profile than in 2024, when he appeared on stage next to Trump at rallies, and in the early days of the president's second term, when he led the Department of Government Efficiency. He had a falling out with Trump while leaving his government post, but the two have since reconciled. Trump presented Musk with the National Medal of Science last week. Musk's net worth has fluctuated around the trillion-dollar line this year based on changes in stock prices, but he topped $1 trillion again last week according to Forbes magazine. Republican have a gaping financial advantage over their Democratic counterparts — a disparity that has been a rare bright spot for a party that is bracing for major potential losses amid deep voter frustration over the president's performance, stubbornly high prices and the unpopular war with Iran. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Jill Colvin, Associated Press Jill Colvin, Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Elon Musk, the world's only trillionaire, has quietly become the biggest known donor in this year's midterm elections, doling out more than $276 million since July to try to save Republican majorities in Congress. The numbers, first reported by the New York Times ahead of this week's federal filing deadline, were confirmed by Andrew Romeo, a spokesperson for Musk's super PAC. WATCH: New documentary traces Elon Musk's rise and embrace of right-wing politics The money includes $158 million given to the Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC supporting Republican Senate candidates, one of the largest known political donations in American history. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Another $76 million went to America PAC, a Musk super PAC, which has once again built out a major turnout operation like the one it used to help elect President Donald Trump in 2024. Musk also provided $10 million to Lone Star Liberty PAC, a group that supports the Republican nominee for Senate in Texas, Ken Paxton. WATCH: Trump awards Elon Musk the National Medal of Science, among other awards for tech execs It's a dramatic turnaround since last May, when Musk said he intended to cut back on future political spending. "I think I've done enough," he said at the time. Despite the cash infusion, Musk has generally kept a lower profile than in 2024, when he appeared on stage next to Trump at rallies, and in the early days of the president's second term, when he led the Department of Government Efficiency. He had a falling out with Trump while leaving his government post, but the two have since reconciled. Trump presented Musk with the National Medal of Science last week. Musk's net worth has fluctuated around the trillion-dollar line this year based on changes in stock prices, but he topped $1 trillion again last week according to Forbes magazine. Republican have a gaping financial advantage over their Democratic counterparts — a disparity that has been a rare bright spot for a party that is bracing for major potential losses amid deep voter frustration over the president's performance, stubbornly high prices and the unpopular war with Iran. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now