Billionaire Backs Republicans Ahead of Midterms
Elon Musk signaled Thursday that he plans to financially support Republican candidates in the 2026 midterm elections, warning that the country would be “toast” if Democrats regain control of Congress.
“America is toast if the radical left wins,” Musk wrote on X. “They will open the floodgates to illegal immigration and fraud. Won’t be America anymore.”
The post came in response to a conservative influencer’s claim that Musk is “going all-in funding Republicans to help President Trump take back full control in the November midterms,” a characterization Musk did not dispute.
Major Donations Already Underway
According to Axios, Musk has already made significant contributions to Republican candidates in several 2026 congressional races. The exact amounts will not be publicly disclosed until campaign finance reports are released later this month.
Musk was the largest political donor of the 2024 election cycle, spending more than $290 million, nearly $100 million more than any other donor that year. His renewed financial involvement suggests he intends to remain a major force in Republican politics despite recent tensions with President Donald Trump.
A Complicated Relationship With Trump
Musk’s New Year’s Day post included a video clip of Trump patting him on the arm during a November appearance, a moment that contrasted sharply with the public feud that followed months later.
Once one of Trump’s closest allies on the campaign trail, during the transition, and in the early months of the administration, Musk left the White House in May after serving as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. While the departure initially appeared amicable, relations quickly soured over Musk’s opposition to Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping spending package.
The dispute escalated into a public clash, with Musk criticizing the legislation and Trump firing back, marking one of the most visible rifts between the president and a former top ally.
The America Party Threat
During the height of the feud, Musk threatened to launch a new political organization called the America Party. He proposed targeting “2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts” and vowed to challenge Republican incumbents who supported Trump’s spending bill.
The idea raised alarms within Republican circles, as a Musk-backed third party could siphon votes and disrupt key races. However, the Wall Street Journal reported in August that Musk paused plans for the new party out of concern it could damage his relationship with Vice President JD Vance, whom Musk is reportedly considering backing in the 2028 presidential race.
Third-Party Plans Still on the Table
Despite signaling renewed support for Republicans, Musk has not fully abandoned the idea of launching a new party. According to allies cited by the Wall Street Journal, the tech billionaire is waiting to see how the 2026 midterms unfold before making a final decision.
For now, Musk’s messaging suggests a tactical truce with Trump and the GOP, driven by a shared opposition to Democrats regaining power. Whether that alliance holds through the midterms—or fractures again—may depend on the outcome of the elections he is now preparing to bankroll.
