Elon Musk’s super PAC has opened its checkbook for the 2026 midterms, spending just over $800,000 between Aug. 19 and Aug. 31 to boost Republican candidates and attack their Democratic opponents in a handful of races the GOP needs to hold Congress.
That works out to roughly $70,000 a day from America PAC, according to a campaign finance filing released Wednesday. The biggest single target was the Texas Senate race, where America PAC spent nearly $248,000 — about $125,000 supporting Ken Paxton and $123,000 opposing his Democratic rival, James Talarico. Most of that money went to Storytellers Group, a vendor that handles direct-mail work.
Republicans currently hold a substantial cash edge heading into November, but Fox News’ Power Rankings show the party struggling to lock down races even in traditionally red-leaning states like Alaska, Iowa, Texas and Ohio. Musk stepping back in with real money — after a public falling-out with President Trump had cast doubt on whether he would — gives the GOP a fresh source of firepower at a moment when it’s needed.
Maine’s Senate race got the second-largest infusion. America PAC spent about $135,000 opposing Democratic nominee Troy Jackson and roughly $35,000 backing Republican incumbent Sen. Susan Collins. Collins has spent the campaign trying to put daylight between herself and both the Trump administration and national Republicans in a state that leans left, and Musk’s involvement could make that balancing act harder.
America PAC also put money into Senate races in Michigan, Ohio and New Hampshire, along with competitive House contests in New York, Florida and Wisconsin.
The spending isn’t without a downside for Republicans. Musk remains unpopular with much of the public, and his stint leading the Department of Government Efficiency drew significant backlash. That gives Democrats a ready-made line of attack: tie GOP candidates directly to Musk. Talarico has already built part of his Texas campaign around opposing billionaire influence in politics, a message that only gets sharper now that Musk’s PAC is actively working against him.
Republican donors and lawmakers are watching all of this nervously. Even with money in the bank, many worry their financial advantage won’t translate into wins if President Trump doesn’t put his roughly $400 million political war chest to aggressive use before Election Day.
