Elon Musk quietly becomes biggest known donor in midterm contests as he
tries to save Republicans
[October 13, 2026]
By JILL COLVIN
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.
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, according to the
Times.
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 by knocking on doors 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. The
race has been a major focus of Musk's efforts.
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.
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President Donald Trump, right, presents the National Medal of
Science to Elon Musk at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Thursday, Oct.
8, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
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.
They have been using the money to blanket the airwaves in the race's
final stretch.
“These robust investments have allowed the G.O.P. apparatus to get
its message out so Republicans can have a fighting chance to defy
history," Romeo told the Times.
Democrats responded to the news by accusing Republicans of using
vast amounts of cash to mask their shortcomings.
“Republicans are hoping to buy these elections, injecting tens of
millions into races to try and outrun their unpopular candidates,
unpopular president, and unpopular economy,” said Lauren French, a
spokesperson for Democrats' Senate Majority PAC.
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