Musk Gave Over $445 Million to Midterm Candidates; Most He Backed Lost
Elon Musk gave more than $445 million to Republican candidates, political action committees and outside groups in the 2026 midterm elections, according to federal election filings analyzed by OpenSecrets, a group that tracks money in politics. NPR reported that this made him the top donor in the midterms. CNBC put his total midterm spending at $474 million.
Most of the candidates Musk backed in Tuesday's midterm elections lost. Democrats won sweeping victories across the country, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Much of Musk's money went to Texas. According to OpenSecrets, he directed at least $225 million of his midterm spending to the state. Federal filings show he spent more than $200 million in an effort to sway the Texas Senate race in the Republican candidate's favor, and he supported Republican Ken Paxton's bid. Texas is also home to the headquarters of Musk's companies. Reuters reported that his Texas business empire could face increased scrutiny after the Democratic wins.
NPR reported that with a Democratic majority in Congress after the midterms, Musk will likely face investigations into billions of dollars in government contracts awarded since President Trump returned to office. Those investigations would also examine his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE. Democratic lawmakers say the central question they want answered is whether Musk used his influence inside the Trump administration to benefit his own businesses. While leading DOGE, Musk was a part-time special government employee. He controls Tesla and SpaceX.
The Democracy Defenders Fund said Musk received at least $6.3 billion in government contracts during the four months he led DOGE. The group said he has gained at least another $10 billion in government contracts since then.
Several lawmakers have said they want answers from Musk. Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.) said Musk must answer under oath about the firing of public servants and claims about DOGE savings. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware said Musk's links to Russian President Vladimir Putin will be among the questions for Musk when Coons subpoenas him, a formal legal order to appear. Rep. Mike Levin of California said Musk restricted Ukraine's use of Starlink, a satellite internet service, days after Trump eased sanctions on Russia and began buying Russian diesel in October.
A Government Accountability Office report, from the federal government's watchdog agency, said DOGE overstated its savings.
A new Democratic bill aimed at Musk would curtail political donations from federal contractors, according to GovExec. The bill has been proposed and has not yet become law.
