Elon Musk gave $76 million to America PAC in the first two weeks of October. The money backs Republicans in competitive races.
$442 million-plus: Musk's total giving this cycle, per Politico. $158 million went to Senate Republicans' campaign arm, then to a Paxton super PAC. $600,000 from America PAC now backs Rep. Mike Lawler in New York. $80 million is what Mike Bloomberg plans to spend helping Democrats. Why it matters: Musk's giving this year far exceeds the roughly $290 million he spent in 2024. Politico reports no modern donor has spent as much.
The money targets tight races, including Paxton vs. Talarico in Texas. Lawler's Hudson Valley seat is rated a toss-up by most race watchers.
The story so far 113 steps · since Oct 7 Oct 7–9 10 smaller steps Oct 95:31 PM Polls and Forecasts Point to Democratic Midterm Lead 73 sources Oct 10–14 33 smaller steps Oct 148:39 AM US Inflation Rises to 3.7% in September 75 sources Oct 14–16 31 smaller steps Oct 174:23 AM Violent Protests Sweep France as 1,800 Are Arrested 114 sources Oct 17–18 3 smaller steps Oct 187:39 AM Midterm Polls Debated as Democrats' Support Questioned 59 sources Oct 18–22 31 smaller steps Oct 223:55 PM Musk Pours Another $76 Million Into GOP Midterm Push You are here Latest
How 7 sources split on this story Bias Ownership
Strong Left Left Lean Left Center Lean Right Right Strong Right
Political Bias
Coverage by lean % of 7 sources
43% 29% 28%
7 sources · 7 articles · 43% Left coverage
Where they split: Outlets differ on whether the story is one donor's unprecedented influence or a broader arms race of outside money on both sides.
Left coverage, 3 sources: The left sees an unprecedented sum from the world's richest man, with Democrats casting it as buying elected officials.
Right coverage, 2 sources: The right sees Musk's support in a single toss-up race, set against heavy Democratic outside spending and Bloomberg's $80 million.
What’s next: The New York Post expects Musk to spend over $1 million for Lawler before Nov. 3.
Democrats, including Senate candidate James Talarico, are making Musk's money a campaign issue. Why do Politico's cycle total and the New York Post's figure of nearly $400 million differ? Will Musk's spending help Republicans, or will Democrats turn it into a liability? 
