Exclusive: Musk plans massive push for GOP in midterms
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Tech billionaire Elon Musk is jumping into the midterms with a huge investment in a plan to boost Republican voter turnout, Axios has learned.
Driving the news: Musk is resuscitating his dormant super PAC, America PAC, which spent more than $260 million to help get President Trump elected in 2024.
- America PAC will focus on door-knocking, digital advertising and direct mail aimed at turning out the conservative base, including voters who typically are less inclined to cast ballots in a non-presidential election year, sources with knowledge of the plans tell Axios.
- Musk's representatives declined to specify exactly how much he'd spend. But given what he donated in 2024, the number is expected to be high.
Zoom in: Musk's pro-Trump donations through America PAC in 2024 made him the largest individual political donor in a single election cycle in U.S. history.
- "America PAC was an essential partner for our historic GOTV operation in 2024, and their return for 2026 is a huge boost for Republicans across the country," James Blair, President Trump's senior political adviser, told Axios.
- "We will again outsmart our opponents and ruthlessly execute our mission for the GOP between now and Election Day," Blair added.
The big picture: Musk's investment will add to a huge Republican cash edge over Democrats at a time when Trump's low approval ratings — particularly on the economy and the Iran war — have put GOP control of the House, and perhaps the Senate, in jeopardy in the Nov. 3 elections.
- GOP super PACs and committees have a $300 million-plus advantage over their Democratic counterparts — and that doesn't include the $400 million sitting in Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC.
- Republicans are hoping their money will offset the political environment favoring Democrats.
Behind the scenes: Musk, the world's richest person, has been in talks with Trump's team about how he can help.
- America PAC, which has said it knocked on more than 10 million doors in 2024 across more than a half-dozen swing states, will coordinate with the other groups in the Republican ecosystem.
- By focusing on voter turnout, Musk's group will allow other GOP groups to gear their efforts toward TV ads.
- Musk's effort will be led by his top political adviser, Chris Young.
Flashback: Musk had a falling out with Trump after a four-month stint leading DOGE. Musk — infuriated by the massive spending in Trump's "big, beautiful bill" — floated the idea of starting a third party to work against the GOP.
- But his relationship with the president has warmed somewhat over the last year, and by the end of 2025 he was back to contributing to the GOP.
- He also cut a $10 million check to Kentucky GOP Senate candidate Nate Morris, who eventually dropped out of the race to take a job in the Trump administration.
What they're saying: "The president's political team and the rest of the GOP apparatus have built a top-notch operation that will put Republicans in a strong position to buck history and retain control of Congress this fall, and we're excited to again be part of the team," America PAC spokesperson Andrew Romeo told Axios.
