Musk gave $158 million to Senate GOP super PAC, which passed it to pro-Paxton Texas PAC
In short
Elon Musk gave $158 million in two September donations to the Senate Leadership Fund, the main Senate Republican super PAC, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The group sent the same amounts to Texas PAC, which backs Ken Paxton in his Texas Senate race against Democrat James Talarico, one day after each gift.
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Elon Musk gave $158 million in September to the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), the main Senate Republican super PAC, according to Federal Election Commission filings. He gave $75 million on Sept. 9 and $83 million on Sept. 23. The SLF then disbursed the same amounts to Texas PAC on Sept. 10 and Sept. 24, one day after each donation, the documents say. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Texas PAC backs Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, in his Senate bid against Democrat James Talarico for the seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn. The Hill called the race razor-thin and CBS News said polls point to a tight contest. CBS News reported that Musk's two donations made up more than half of the SLF's third-quarter receipts and that Texas PAC reported over $100 million in pro-Paxton and anti-Talarico spending. CNN, citing AdImpact data, said Texas PAC spent more than $77 million on ads in September and is set to spend nearly $160 million on ads backing Paxton through Election Day. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Musk gave in other ways too. CBS News said he donated more than $80 million from July to September to his own group, America PAC, while ABC News put the figure at more than $76 million. The Hill said America PAC has spent $7.5 million this year to support Paxton and oppose Talarico. CBS News said Musk's trust gave $10 million in August to the pro-Paxton Lone Star Liberty PAC and $20 million last month to the Congressional Leadership Fund, the House GOP's primary super PAC. [ 2 , 3 , 7 ]
Outlets differed on his overall giving. The Hill cited a New York Times report that Musk has given about $366 million this cycle, while ABC News put his midterm spending at more than $276 million. Bloomberg reported he is the biggest US political donor for the second straight election cycle, and The Hill called him the biggest known donor of the 2026 midterms. [ 1 , 2 , 7 ]
The Seattle Times said Paxton has stayed financially competitive although Talarico has vastly outraised him. It also said the money sent to Texas PAC was not necessarily Musk's and that super PAC officials said publicly they were seeking new donations for a pro-Paxton operation. CNN reported that Talarico's campaign said it raised a record-breaking $64 million in the third quarter. ABC News said the transfers let the Senate GOP group support Paxton without diverting resources from Republicans in other competitive races. [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]
The Hill quoted America PAC spokesperson Andrew Romeo as saying that if Democrats take control of Washington and win key gubernatorial and attorney general races, America risks becoming a socialist, woke and borderless country. Musk lives in Austin, according to The New York Times and The Seattle Times, and CNN said his companies SpaceX, Tesla and X have major operations in Texas. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Why it matters
Bloomberg, The Hill and The New York Times describe Musk as the biggest donor of the cycle or the biggest known midterm donor. The Seattle Times said his donations allowed Paxton to remain financially competitive despite being outraised by Talarico, and ABC News said the transfers let the Senate GOP group back Paxton without diverting resources from other competitive races.
Key facts
- Musk gave $75 million to the Senate Leadership Fund on Sept. 9 and $83 million on Sept. 23, a total of $158 million. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The Senate Leadership Fund sent $75 million to Texas PAC on Sept. 10 and $83 million on Sept. 24, matching Musk's gifts. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Texas PAC backs Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, in his Senate race against Democrat James Talarico for the seat held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Texas PAC reported over $100 million in pro-Paxton and anti-Talarico spending, according to CBS News. [ 3 ]
- Musk's two donations made up more than half of the Senate Leadership Fund's third-quarter receipts, according to CBS News. [ 3 ]
- Bloomberg reported Musk is the biggest US political donor for the second straight election cycle. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Musk gave the Senate Leadership Fund $75 million on Sept. 9 and $83 million on Sept. 23, according to FEC filings. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The Senate Leadership Fund passed the same amounts to Texas PAC on the following days, Sept. 10 and Sept. 24. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Paxton and Talarico are in a tight Texas Senate race. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Musk is a Texas resident with major business interests in the state. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the money Texas PAC received was Musk's. The Seattle Times said the money sent to Texas PAC was not necessarily Musk's and that super PAC officials said publicly they were seeking new donations for a pro-Paxton operation.
- Musk's total giving this cycle. The Hill cited a New York Times report of about $366 million, while ABC News put his midterm spending at more than $276 million.
- How much Musk gave to America PAC. CBS News said more than $80 million from July to September, while ABC News said more than $76 million.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Bloomberg published its report on Musk's $158 million donation to the GOP super PAC. [ 1 ]
- The Hill reported Musk's money was backing Paxton through Texas PAC. [ 2 ]
- CBS News reported the donations, based on FEC filings. [ 3 ]
- The New York Times published its analysis of Paxton's funding, dated Oct. 16 local time. [ 4 ]
- CNN published its report on the filings, dated Oct. 16 local time. [ 5 ]