Musk Reportedly Set to Pour Up to $200 Million Into GOP Midterm Push in Texas
Trump administration officials say Elon Musk plans to spend roughly $100 million to $200 million on Republican voter turnout this November, with Texas emerging as a key battleground for Senate control.
Officials briefed on the matter say Elon Musk is preparing to spend somewhere between $100 million and $200 million ahead of November's midterm elections, concentrating on voter turnout efforts in several pivotal races. Texas stands out among them, where the political fate of Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton could help decide which party controls the chamber.
Such spending would offer a significant lift to Paxton, who has substantially trailed his Democratic opponent, James Talarico, in fundraising. Federal Election Commission filings show Talarico has raised about $69 million compared to Paxton's $9 million. Although an endorsement from President Donald Trump helped Paxton win a contentious primary against Senator John Cornyn—one that dredged up past controversies—his fundraising has not improved much since securing the nomination.
Party support still uncertain
Neither of the two biggest national Republican funding vehicles has yet committed money to Paxton's race. The Senate Leadership Fund, aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune's allies, backed Cornyn during the primary, while MAGA Inc has not disclosed its spending intentions.
Democrats running in competitive races have generally outraised Republicans this cycle, so Paxton's shortfall is not unusual. The Republican National Committee currently holds a $128 million war chest, while the Democratic National Committee carries a $2 million debt. The two leading GOP super PACs focused on House and Senate races control a combined $380 million, versus $116 million for their Democratic counterparts, and MAGA Inc reportedly has around $400 million on hand.
A mixed track record
A spokesperson for America PAC declined to discuss its spending plans, though The New York Times previously reported Musk authorized the group to spend at least $100 million on the 2026 midterms. Musk's history with turnout operations, however, has had setbacks. In 2024, America PAC spent more than $46 million on third-party canvassing firms, but Trump campaign officials remained skeptical the effort was decisive, and canvassing workers later complained about misleading treatment and lodging disputes.
