"Such ingratitude": How much money Musk funneled into the 2024 election
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Elon Musk's bitter public breakup with President Trump has included an undeniable fact: the world's richest man contributed more than any other billionaire donor to support Republicans in 2024 — by a lot.
Why it matters: Musk has said he'd pull back on political spending, after his six months in Washington left him with empty DOGE promises and his companies in turmoil.
- But where he puts his cash has massive potential influence — including toward any future political pursuits.
- In one of his first and most damning swipes at Trump, Musk claimed credit for the president's 2024 victory: "Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate." He blasted the "ingratitude."
- While a newer Republican megadonor, Musk joined an existing class funneling millions to Trump in 2024.
- Other top donors included businessman Timothy Mellon and Miriam Adelson, widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson who, with her late husband, was Trump's biggest backer in 2020.
By the numbers: Of the roughly $295 million Musk contributed to Republicans in the 2024 election, the vast majority went to Trump.
Zoom out: The Musk-Trump feud bursted publicly mostly on social media Thursday, beginning with Trump speaking in the Oval Office and Musk rapidly posting on X.
- While the president had offered his former special government employee a warm sendoff Friday, the Tesla CEO this week ratcheted up his attacks on Trump's signature bill. Musk has criticized the bill for its cost: estimates say it could add trillions to the federal deficit.
- On Wednesday, Musk urged his followers on X to call their representatives to "KILL the BILL."
Go deeper: How Trump and Musk went from bromance to bitter dispute
