Elon Musk Spent $132M Backing Trump and Allies in Election Efforts

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Elon Musk has contributed at least $132 million to support Donald Trump and Republican candidates ahead of the 2024 election, according to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The documents, released on Thursday, show that Musk has significantly ramped up his political spending in the final weeks of the campaign, with an additional $56 million donated. His total contributions are now among the highest of any political donor in the current election cycle.

Musk's financial backing extends across multiple levels of the political landscape, with money flowing to Trump’s campaign and Republican efforts in the House and Senate. A large portion of his donations has gone to America PAC, a super PAC he founded earlier this year, which has become his main vehicle for influencing the 2024 election. In the first half of October alone, Musk funneled $43.6 million into America PAC, bringing his total donations to the group to $118.6 million.

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In addition to backing Trump, Musk has funded efforts to boost voter turnout for Republican candidates in key battleground states and swing districts. America PAC has been focused on get-out-the-vote operations, digital ad campaigns, and rallying support, particularly among young male voters, to counterbalance Vice President Kamala Harris’ lead among women voters. Musk’s super PAC is spending heavily in battleground states that could determine not just the presidency but also control of the House of Representatives.

Musk has also made significant contributions to other GOP-aligned groups. He donated $10 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC working to elect Senate Republicans, and $2.3 million to the Sentinel Action Fund, which is helping with voter turnout in Senate races in states like Montana, Nevada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. These contributions aim to secure Republican control of Congress alongside Trump’s return to the White House.

This election marks a new phase for Musk in terms of political engagement. Traditionally a relatively modest donor, he has become a prominent figure in the 2024 election, likely driven by the growing significance of government policy for his businesses, which include Tesla and SpaceX. Both companies have substantial contracts with the federal government, and Musk’s increasing involvement in politics could reflect his desire to shape policy outcomes.

Musk’s contributions to America PAC and other groups are part of a broader strategy to build a network of political allies, potentially positioning himself as a major powerbroker in Washington. The FEC filings show that America PAC spent $47 million in the run-up to Election Day, with $105 million of its total spending focused on backing Trump’s campaign since its formation.

His political activities have drawn scrutiny, particularly a proposal from America PAC to offer $1 million per day to registered voters in swing states who sign an online petition. This plan prompted a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice, warning that such initiatives might violate federal laws prohibiting payment for voter registration or voting itself.

Beyond financial support, Musk has also taken a more active role on the campaign trail. He has appeared with Trump at rallies and even hosted his own campaign events. At a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month, Musk made a stark appeal to voters, declaring that the 2024 election would "decide the fate of America" and, by extension, "the fate of Western civilization." Trump has suggested that if he wins a second term, he would ask Musk to lead a new initiative aimed at reducing government waste, humorously dubbed the "Department of Government Efficiency" or DOGE, in reference to the cryptocurrency Musk has championed.

Trump’s campaign has relied heavily on donations from deep-pocketed backers like Musk, especially as Harris has outspent Trump significantly in the final stretch. Since Labor Day, Harris has spent $352 million on advertising in seven critical battleground states, compared to Trump’s $214 million, according to data from AdImpact. This financial advantage has allowed Harris to open over 330 field offices and employ more than 2,000 staffers focused on voter mobilization.

Despite Harris’s spending advantage, polls indicate the race is still extremely close in key swing states. Trump and Harris are statistically tied among likely voters in several battlegrounds, underscoring how crucial the final days of campaigning will be. Musk’s financial contributions, alongside efforts by America PAC, could be instrumental in shaping the outcome in these tight races, as both campaigns ramp up their advertising, voter turnout, and rally efforts in the final push before Election Day on November 5.

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