The BBC, citing Federal Election Commission filings, reports that Elon Musk donated upwards of $200 million in the quarter ending 30 September, with $158 million going to the Republican-aligned Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) super PAC.
Money trail points to Texas
According to the BBC’s review of the filings, SLF quickly sent money on to a group supporting Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. The BBC described Paxton’s race against Democrat James Talarico as neck and neck and a potential bellwether for Republican power.
The BBC also reported that Musk donated more than $80 million to America PAC, which he founded during the 2024 election, and an additional $10 million to Lone Star Liberty PAC, a group primarily backing Paxton. Records cited by the BBC say America PAC spent millions last quarter on digital communications, mail, and phone efforts opposing Talarico, plus thousands on political marketing to support Paxton.
One of the largest known checks—BBC
The BBC wrote that the $158 million to SLF is among the largest publicly known single political donations in US history, adding that some have suggested it may be the biggest ever. The outlet described Musk as the world’s richest person and “the world’s only trillionaire.”
Analyst ties tech money to regulation fights
In remarks to the BBC, political analyst Cayce Myers said Republicans have a fundraising edge this cycle but warned, “fundraising by itself does not actually guarantee success.” He also said technology has become a top voter issue and argued that tech leaders are developing closer ties to Republicans, who have historically favored lighter regulation. “What [tech leaders] are looking at is a future where there is growing demand and call for regulation and I think they want to be in an advantageous position,” Myers told the BBC.
The BBC added that Texas has attracted Musk’s businesses in part due to fewer regulations, no state personal income tax, and no corporate income tax.
Other big tech donations noted
The BBC reported that Greg and Anna Brockman donated $25 million last year to MAGA Inc, a PAC aligned with Donald Trump.
Election context
The filings were released a little over two weeks before the 2026 midterm election, the BBC said, with Republicans at risk of losing their majorities in the House and Senate.
