Elon Musk Spent At Least $132 Million To Elect Donald Trump, Allies

Elon Musk’s super PAC is funding efforts to increase voter participation in key states for Trump and in swing districts for Republicans, potentially aiding the GOP in securing a House majority.

Elon Musk donated an additional $56 million to support the election bids of Donald Trump and other Republicans in the closing stages of the 2024 election campaign. This latest contribution brings his total spending to at least $132 million as he endeavors to bolster his allies’ positions in the White House and Congress, according to federal records.

The released disclosures from the Federal Election Commission on Thursday unveil that the CEO of Tesla Inc. and SpaceX has made significant donations towards Trump’s presidential campaign as well as in favor of Republican candidates for both the House and Senate.

In the 2024 election cycle, Musk significantly increased his political contributions by channeling $43.6 million into America PAC, his own group. This surge brought his total donations for the year to $118.6 million, marking a notable shift from his previously modest political funding. Additionally, he allocated millions towards various political entities, strategically expanding his network of supporters and allies.

The submitted documents reveal contributions made until October 16 and provide the most recent comprehensive overview of the financial status of federal campaigns and super PACs before the upcoming Election Day on November 5th.

America PAC, backed by Musk, is financing efforts to increase voter participation for Trump in key states and support Republicans in competitive districts, potentially aiding the GOP in securing a House majority. The super PAC is also investing in online advertising initiatives, with a focus on encouraging turnout among young male voters to counterbalance Vice President Kamala Harris’ appeal to women voters from the Democratic camp.

Musk’s donations to various organizations also encompassed $10 million directed to the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC focused on supporting the election of Senate Republicans, along with $2.3 million allocated to the Sentinel Action Fund, a super PAC actively engaged in voter mobilization efforts for Republican Senate campaigns in Montana, Nevada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Musk’s recent contributions showcase his continued effort to broaden his political connections by supporting a potential presidential candidate and various lawmakers, despite his companies’ substantial federal contracts and his known aversion to government rules.

The federal authorities have been examining his involvement in politics closely. A communication from the US Justice Department was directed towards his super PAC recently, cautioning them about a scheme offering $1 million daily to eligible voters in swing states who endorse an online petition, potentially breaching federal regulations. Remunerating individuals for voting or registering to vote is prohibited by law.

Furthermore, alongside Musk, America PAC received contributions from eight other individuals. These donors comprised investor Nelson Peltz and members of the DeVos family, known for their substantial support of the Republican party. Worth mentioning, Betsy DeVos served as the education secretary during Trump’s administration.

America PAC, with $3.3 million in cash reserves, expended $47 million in the final 19 days leading up to Election Day. From its inception to October 16, the PAC has dedicated $105 million in support of Trump.

Elon Musk’s involvement in the 2024 political fundraising landscape is significant, showcasing a unique approach. Apart from his financial contributions, he has shared the limelight with Trump and organized independent campaign gatherings. During a recent Pennsylvania event, Musk delivered a foreboding message, emphasizing the critical nature of the upcoming election not only for the United States but also for the broader Western civilization.

Should he secure a second term, the ex-president expressed his intention to invite Musk to be part of his administration. Musk would lead a campaign focused on reducing government inefficiencies, which would be known as the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, inspired by Musk’s involvement with the cryptocurrency of the same name.

Donors with substantial resources are significantly contributing to backing Trump, who is trailing Harris by a wide margin in fundraising. Since Labor Day, she has been surpassing his campaign expenditures in all seven key battleground states crucial for determining the election outcome, as per AdImpact data. Harris has allocated a total of $352 million to media purchases, while Trump has spent $214 million.

Harris’ superior financial resources have enabled her to establish over 330 field offices with a workforce of over 2,000 paid personnel dedicated to facilitating voter mobilization efforts. Despite this, the competitors are neck and neck in terms of support among potential voters in the seven crucial swing states, as revealed by the Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll. The extremely close margins in these pivotal battlegrounds highlight the pivotal role that the last-minute advertising onslaught, rallies, and door-to-door campaigns may play in determining the ultimate victor of the presidential race.