Elon Musk Has Spent $276 Million on Republican Groups Since July for 2026 Midterms

Elon Musk has donated at least $276 million to Republican groups and his own super PAC since the start of July, according to figures his representatives supplied to The New York Times and Reuters ahead of a federal disclosure deadline. The sum makes him the largest known donor in the 2026 midterm cycle so far. His total political spending for the 2025-26 cycle stands at roughly $366 million, exceeding the approximately $290 million he spent in the 2024 presidential election.

Of the $276 million disclosed for the third quarter, $158 million went to the Senate Leadership Fund, the super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune that supports Republican Senate candidates. Another $76 million went to America PAC, the group Musk founded in 2024, which is running a canvassing operation in seven Senate battlegrounds and nearly three dozen House races. The Congressional Leadership Fund received $20 million. Lone Star Liberty PAC, backing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's Senate bid, received $10 million. The Republican Governors Association received $10 million and the Republican Attorneys General Association received $2 million.

Musk has also given the maximum $6,600 to several individual Republican campaigns, including those of Representatives Anna Paulina Luna, Brandon Gill, Lauren Boebert, Darrell Issa and Mark Harris, and Senator Chuck Grassley. Earlier in the cycle he gave $10 million to a PAC supporting Nate Morris in Kentucky before Morris withdrew to become ambassador to Colombia. America PAC has reported more than $52 million in federal disbursements since January 2025.

The donations come as Democrats' chances of retaking the House and Senate have improved in some polls. Musk had previously signalled a reduction in political spending after a rift with President Trump. The latest figures reverse that posture and concentrate resources on Senate retention and turnout operations rather than on a single presidential candidate. The Senate Leadership Fund contribution is among the largest single political donations in recent American history and exceeds what the Democratic counterpart raised from all donors in the same quarter.

For Republican candidates the money expands advertising and ground capacity in key races at a moment when control of both chambers is in play. America PAC's focus on hard-to-reach voters aims to offset any drop-off in turnout. Critics note the scale of influence a single donor can exercise under current campaign-finance rules. Supporters argue the spending reflects legitimate political engagement by a major employer and innovator.

The figures will appear in official filings on Thursday. Markets and political analysts will compare the disclosed totals against actual independent expenditures once the reports are public. The concentration on Senate and House leadership PACs rather than state-level races indicates a priority on congressional majorities. Further donations before the November election could widen the gap between Musk and other major donors.