Elon Musk is publicly urging voters to back Republicans while pouring major money into the 2026 election cycle, as lawmakers scrutinize the legality surrounding his time at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as well as his government ties and policy levers that could affect his business interests.
The SpaceX (NASDAQ:SPCX) and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO posted "Vote red today!" on X Tuesday morning. So far, Musk has spent roughly $366 million in the 2026 cycle — including $276 million since July — to help Republicans keep control of Congress.
Meanwhile, House Democrats have called for investigations into SpaceX government contracts and Musk’s role, in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management, running DOGE.
Congress also funds and oversees agencies such as the Defense Department and NASA, both major SpaceX customers, and can reshape electric-vehicle tax breaks, battery subsidies, autonomous-vehicle rules and trade policy affecting Tesla’s Chinese competitors.
Musk’s Political Spending and Influence
- In a Friday note, biographer Walter Isaacson revealed that Musk has poured over $445 million into GOP groups, viewing the midterms as a significant effort to support Republican control.
Trump’s Support for Musk Amid Scrutiny
- In a Tuesday note, President Donald Trump‘s Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. (NASDAQ:DJT) vowed to protect Musk from potential arrest, suggesting pardons amid Democratic criticism over Starlink disruptions. This comes as Democratic leaders warn that Musk’s allies will be held accountable.
Read also
- SpaceX Has 11,000 Satellites in Orbit. So Why Does Elon Musk Still Need Cell Towers?
- ‘Paid Far More in Taxes’: Elon Musk Fires Back at Democrat Nominee James Talarico Over Tesla’s $465 Million Government Loan
- SPCX CEO Elon Musk Says Cooling AI Data Centers in Space Is ‘Much Easier’ — Here’s How His Plan Could Work
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