Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk directed about $276 million to Republican-aligned groups in the third quarter of 2026, with $158 million moving through a super PAC network supporting Ken Paxton’s Texas Senate bid.
Reuters reported that Musk’s giving for the full 2025–26 federal election cycle had reached about $366 million. Its breakdown of the third-quarter total includes $158 million for the Senate Leadership Fund, $76 million for America PAC, $20 million for the Congressional Leadership Fund, $10 million apiece for Lone Star Liberty PAC and the Republican Governors Association, and $2 million for the Republican Attorneys General Association. America PAC spokesperson Andrew Romeo confirmed the aggregate, the Associated Press reported, after The New York Times published the figure ahead of the federal reporting deadline.
The Texas Tribune reported that the Senate Leadership Fund sent Texas PAC $75 million on Sept. 10 and $83 million on Sept. 24. Musk made matching contributions to the Senate Leadership Fund one day before each transfer. Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show Texas PAC received $158 million from other committees and reported about $131.5 million in independent expenditures from July 1 through Sept. 30, 2026. The committee supports Paxton, the Republican Senate candidate facing Democrat James Talarico.
The FEC classifies the Senate Leadership Fund, America PAC and Texas PAC as independent-expenditure-only committees, commonly called super PACs. They may accept unlimited contributions for independent political activity but cannot give directly to candidates. Under FEC rules, an independent expenditure pays for a communication that expressly advocates electing or defeating a clearly identified candidate and is made without coordination with that candidate, campaign or party.
Musk gave $76 million to America PAC. Separately, WIRED’s review of filings found that the committee spent $76.7 million in the third quarter, including $35.8 million on field operations. The Associated Press reported that America PAC was building a door-knocking effort resembling one it used during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Musk said in May 2025 that he planned to reduce his political spending, telling the Qatar Economic Forum, “I think I’ve done enough.” At a Houston rally this week, Talarico said “billionaire megadonors are trying to buy this election,” the Associated Press reported. The New York Times also reported that Musk contributed through groups that do not disclose their donors; it did not specify the amounts. Reuters separately reported that an America PAC spokesperson confirmed those contributions.
The next regularly scheduled federal general election is Nov. 3, 2026, according to the FEC.
