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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
World
RFI

Billionaires and 'dark money' fuel record spending on US midterms

Elon Musk has contributed $369 million since the start of the 2026 electoral cycle.
Elon Musk has contributed $369 million since the start of the 2026 electoral cycle. AP - Evan Vucci

With control of the United States Congress at stake in the country's 3 November elections, candidates and their backers are pouring billions into the campaign. The battle is heading towards a spending record, with political advertising alone expected to reach a cost of $11.6 billion.

As the Democrats seek to wrest control of the House of Representatives and the Senate from the Republicans, campaigns are competing for space on television, streaming services and social media.

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