.jpg) |
File photo of Elon Musk speaking at Tesla Owners Club Belgium in 2014.
Musk Spends $276 Million to Help Republicans Hold Congress
NEW YORK — October 12, 2026
Elon Musk has spent about $366 million on political activities during the 2026 US midterm election cycle, including at least $276 million since July to help Republicans retain control of Congress. His spending comes as Democrats have improved their chances of winning control of the House of Representatives and Senate.
Campaign finance records indicate that Musk, the world's richest person, is likely to be the biggest individual political donor in this year's races. A spokesman for his political action committee, America PAC, confirmed the spending figures.
Musk's financial support could be important for Republicans as they defend their congressional majorities. Democrats in the House have called for investigations into Musk's government contracts through SpaceX and his previous work leading the Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump.
Of the $276 million in contributions made during the third quarter, $158 million went to the Senate Leadership Fund, a political action committee aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune that supports Republican Senate candidates. Another $20 million went to the Congressional Leadership Fund, which backs House Republicans and is aligned with House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Musk also directed $76 million to America PAC, his own political action committee. The group is supporting Republican candidates in seven competitive states and nearly three dozen House races.
Other contributions included $10 million to the Lone Star Liberty PAC, which supports Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's campaign for the US Senate. Paxton is facing Democrat James Talarico in a closely contested race, according to recent polls. Musk also gave $10 million to the Republican Governors Association and $2 million to the Republican Attorneys General Association.
Details of much of the new spending are expected to become public when political action committees submit their third-quarter financial disclosures. Musk has also contributed money through organizations that do not disclose their donors, according to a report by The New York Times.
Not all of Musk's spending has gone toward the current election effort. About $90 million of his spending during this election cycle covered work related to the previous election or supported other causes. These included an unsuccessful candidate in a Wisconsin Supreme Court race and a controversial program that offered $1 million payments to registered voters who signed a petition supporting free speech and gun rights, according to an America PAC spokesman.
Musk spent about $290 million during the previous election cycle, when Trump defeated former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. His larger spending in the current cycle highlights his continued role as a major financial supporter of Republican candidates.
The scale of Musk's donations comes as control of Congress remains uncertain ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The results will determine whether Republicans can maintain their majorities or Democrats can gain control of one or both chambers, potentially increasing scrutiny of the Trump administration and Musk's business interests.
