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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Nick Robins-Early

Elon Musk becomes biggest donor of US midterms cycle with $366m spent

a man in a suit
Elon Musk listens as Donald Trump speaks during an event at the US Institute of Peace on 8 October 2026, in Washington. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Elon Musk has become the biggest political donor of the 2026 US midterm elections cycle, funneling about $366m into political groups and campaigns as he backs conservative candidates and rightwing causes. The world’s richest person has poured more than $276m into politics since July alone, some of the most rapid political spending in US history. He’s targeting key races that will determine which party controls the US Senate.

The New York Times first reported the spending numbers, which will be released in a federal filing on Thursday. Musk’s spending outpaces his 2024 presidential election contributions, in which he sunk nearly $300m into Donald Trump’s re-election campaign.

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