How Elon Musk Learned to Love Political Spending Again

Elon Musk looks on as President Donald Trump speaks at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum at the John F.

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Nov.

19, 2025. —Brendan Smialowski—AFP/Getty Images Elon Musk, the world’s richest man who also spent more than $250 million for President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, said in May last year that he planned “a lot less” in political spending for future elections—including the upcoming midterms.

But newly disclosed donations to Republican groups have since made him the biggest known donor ahead of the November elections.

For the 2026 election cycle, which began in January 2025, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has already spent $366 million—of which more than $276 million went to Republican groups and his super PAC since July—according to new reporting by the New York Times and Reuters .

Representatives for Musk gave the media outlets data on his political largess ahead of the Thursday deadline when many super PACs must ​disclose their third-quarter spending.

Of the $276 million, $158 million reportedly went to the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC tasked with helping Republicans maintain their majority in the chamber; it is one of the largest known political donations in history.

Another $20 million went to the Congressional Leadership Fund, which was set up to re-elect House Republicans aligned with House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana.

Musk’s America PAC, which was created for the 2024 elections, received over $76 million to try to reach Republican voters and boost turnout.

America PAC ⁠is boosting Republican candidates in seven battleground states and nearly three dozen House races.

Other conservative groups also received funds from the U.S.’s most high-profile billionaire.

The Lone Star Liberty PAC, which backs Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ’s campaign for the U.S.

Senate, received $10 million.

Paxton, a Trump-backed Republican, is in a tight race with Democratic state lawmaker James Talarico .