Musk spends US$276mil on midterms to help Republicans retain control of Congress

Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, has allocated approximately US$276 million from various groups, with at least this amount directed towards Republican political campaigns in the 2026 US midterm election cycle, according to a New York Times report. This surge in donations, which began in July, marks Musk as the most significant financial contributor among political figures during this election period, assuming control over a significant portion of the US political landscape.

From the funds donated since July, a noteworthy distribution is evident. A substantial US$158 million has been channeled to the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC supporting Republican Senate candidates, notably aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune from South Dakota. Additionally, US$20 million was directed towards the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC backing House Republicans, closely associated with House Speaker Mike Johnson from Louisiana.

Furthermore, Musk's personal super PAC, America PAC, received US$76 million, while US$10 million found its way to the Lone Star Liberty PAC, which is aiding Texas Republican State Attorney General Ken Paxton's run for a Senate seat. The Republican Governors Association also benefitted from US$10 million, and the Republican Attorneys General Association received US$2 million.

Musk's political influence extends beyond top-tier donors, as his America PAC is funding Republican candidates across seven competitive states and nearly 30 House races. The entirety of these expenditures will be made public when super PACs are mandated to disclose their spending for the third quarter, slated for Thursday. Previous data reveals that Musk contributed roughly US$290 million during the previous election cycle, a time when Republican candidate Donald Trump secured the presidency against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.