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Of the $276 million Musk donated to Republican groups and his own super PAC from July, $158 million went to the Senate Leadership Fund, which supports Republican Senate candidates.
Elon Musk (File photo)
Elon Musk has spent around $366 million on the 2026 US midterm election cycle so far, including $276 million since July, to help Republicans retain control of Congress. The spending comes as Democrats’ chances of regaining the House of Representatives and Senate have improved, making the world’s richest person one of the biggest financial players in this year’s elections.
The figures, confirmed by a spokesperson for Musk’s super PAC America PAC, were reported by The New York Times ahead of a federal campaign finance disclosure deadline on Thursday. The current election cycle began on January 1, 2025.
Musk’s political spending also comes amid calls by Democrats in the House for investigations into his government contracts as chief executive of aerospace company SpaceX and his work leading the Department of Government Efficiency under President Donald Trump.
Where Musk’s $276 Million Went
Of the $276 million Musk donated to Republican groups and his own super PAC from July onwards, $158 million went to the Senate Leadership Fund, which supports Republican Senate candidates and is aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
Another $20 million went to the Congressional Leadership Fund, the main super PAC backing House Republicans and aligned with House Speaker Mike Johnson. Musk gave $76 million to his own America PAC, $10 million to the Lone Star Liberty PAC supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign, $10 million to the Republican Governors Association and $2 million to the Republican Attorneys General Association.
America PAC is working to support Republican candidates in seven Senate battleground states and nearly three dozen House races. Musk has also donated through groups that do not disclose their donors, according to The New York Times.
Around $90 million of his spending during the current cycle went towards work carried out during the previous election or other causes. These included an unsuccessful candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and a controversial programme offering $1 million to registered voters who signed a petition supporting free speech and gun rights, an America PAC spokesperson said.
Musk spent around $290 million during the 2024 election cyclewhen Trump defeated former vice-president Kamala Harris.
Texas Senate Race Gets Special Attention
Musk’s America PAC has built a large voter mobilisation operation, spending most of its more than $76 million in disclosed midterm spending on canvassing. According to America PAC officials, nearly 3,000 paid canvassers were deployed last week, and the group has knocked on around 6.5 million doors nationwide.
A canvasser told The New York Times that they were paid between $1.50 and $3 for every door knocked on in Texas. The operation also uses advertisements, mail, phone calls and text messages to reach voters.
Texas has received particular attention, with more than a third of America PAC’s disclosed spending directed towards the state’s expensive Senate race. Musk donated $10 million to a super PAC supporting Paxton, who is facing Democrat James Talarico in a closely contested contest.
Musk’s $158 million contribution to the Senate Leadership Fund also preceded its decision in late August to launch a $149 million advertising campaign backing Paxton.
Transgender Issues And Socialism In Campaign Messaging
America PAC is focusing on registering and turning out conservative voters who are less likely to vote, rather than primarily trying to persuade swing voters. Its campaign material has targeted Democratic candidates over transgender issuesincluding Texas gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa, Senate candidate James Talarico and Iowa Senate nominee Josh Turek.
The group has also attacked Democrats over socialism, linking them to figures such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, according to campaign mail reviewed by The New York Times.
America PAC spokesperson Andrew Romeo said the investments had helped Republicans communicate their message. “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,” he said.
Musk’s Political Role Ahead Of 2028
Musk said in May 2025 that he would spend much less on politics in the future. However, his latest contributions exceed his disclosed spending during the 2024 election cycle.
Although Musk and Trump have appeared together at three events in the past two weeks and publicly praised each other, Musk has taken a less visible role in this year’s campaign. The New York Times reported that he had made only seven direct posts on X about candidates in competitive midterm races this year.
His super PAC has said it intends to remain active in the 2028 presidential election. The $366 million figure covers publicly known contributions; further donations have reportedly gone through groups that are not required to disclose their donors.
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Ask News18Elon Musk has spent approximately $366 million on the 2026 US midterm election cycle, including $276 million contributed since July to help Republicans retain control of Congress.
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Shuddhanta Patra is an Indian journalist with about nine years of experience in covering national politics, geopolitics, defence, diplomacy and international affairs. Her reporting focuses on South As…Read More
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