Musk Pours Millions Into Midterms For GOP
Sandra Rhodes · Nov 3, 2026 · 2 min read
Elon Musk made history in the midterm elections by donating more money than any donor has ever spent in a single election cycle.
This does not include wealthy candidates who funded their own runs for office.
He has donated $474 million, or nearly half a billion dollars this election season.
This includes disclosed donations to federal and state political groups since Jan. 1, 2025.
About $216 million to his own super PAC, America PAC, which is spending money across the country on an extensive field operation. Last year, the group spent about $47 million on an important state judicial race in Wisconsin, which Musk’s chosen candidate lost.
$168 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC backing Senate Republicans. Almost all of that money effectively went to support Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee in Texas.
$30 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund, the main super PAC backing House Republicans.
Another $44 million or so to other Republican groups or candidates at the federal level.
About $16 million to state-focused political efforts in Michigan, Texas and Wisconsin.
The New York Times compiled its estimate of Musk’s activity by analyzing the most recent filings with the Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service, as well as the campaign finance systems of states where Musk has disclosed contributions to state political committees. Some donations came from Musk’s political nonprofit group, United States of America Inc.
Musk has also made some dark-money donations during the 2026 cycle, as The Times has previously reported. And the federal records run only through Oct. 14, which means they do not include donations made in the final three weeks of the election.
Millionaire Michael R. Bloomberg, former mayor of New York City, has spent more during an election cycle than Musk has during the 2026 cycle. This was in 2020 when he ran for president.
Musk, the world’s richest person, has a lot on the line on Tuesday. Democratic lawmakers have signaled that, if they take back control of Congress, they plan to scrutinize Mr. Musk on a variety of fronts. They include his stint as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, his companies’ contracts with the federal government and his role in the Russia-Ukraine war.
After spending roughly $290 million in the 2024 election, Musk was hired to do a powerful job in Mr. Trump’s administration. But after a few months, he showed signs of unease.