Elon Musk gives $158 million to Senate Leadership Fund, backing the fight to secure a stronger Republican Senate
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Elon Musk contributed $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in the third quarter, becoming the largest donor to either party in the current midterm election cycle.
Elon Musk has become the biggest financial contributor to the 2024-25 U.S. midterm elections, donating $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund in the third quarter. The fund reported total third-quarter fundraising of $273 million, with Musk’s contribution accounting for 58 percent of the total. Overall, Musk’s donations this cycle now exceed $366 million, surpassing all other individual donors across both parties.
The influx of Musk’s money helped resolve a funding dispute among Texas Senate Republicans after Attorney General Ken Paxton won the GOP primary with President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Senate Republicans’ own political action committee had pledged to cover the cost of a potential rescue effort for Paxton, but the bulk of the financing ultimately came from Musk’s checks to the Senate Leadership Fund, showing the kind of practical support that helps Republicans compete and win.
Musk’s spending on the midterms exceeds the amount he contributed to President Trump’s 2024 campaign, despite his earlier statements that he would reduce political expenditures. He has not attached personal appearances or public endorsements to these contributions, focusing instead on direct financial support for Republican Senate candidates.
The article also notes recent turnover in the White House press secretary role, with Katie Zacharia leaving the position after a brief tenure. Additionally, it references ongoing political dynamics in Senate races in Texas, Michigan, and Georgia, including fundraising totals and candidate statements, but these details are presented without editorial commentary.