Elon Musk has donated about $75 million to a super PAC that has heavily supported former President Donald Trump’s election campaign. The donation, made between July 1 and September 30, accounted for almost all of the PAC’s reported income for that quarter. This is the first confirmation of Musk’s financial contributions to the super PAC, following initial reports and denials of his monthly donations. The America PAC he donated to has been largely responsible for the Trump campaign’s ground game, including door-to-door canvassing efforts, which have faced challenges with vendors and technology.
In addition to his financial contributions, Musk has been a vocal supporter of Trump leading up to the election, speaking with him on a forum and appearing at campaign rallies. The FEC filing only reflects donations until September 30, so it remains to be seen how much more Musk has given or will give to the PAC through Election Day. Trump has hinted at possibly appointing Musk as the “secretary of cost-cutting” if he wins the election. Musk’s political giving has increased in recent months, with donations to various Republican causes and candidates, such as the National Republican Congressional Committee and failed Utah House candidate Colby Jenkins.
Elon Musk’s net worth is estimated at $246.8 billion, making him the richest person in the world according to Forbes. He is among the 49 billionaires who have expressed their support for Trump, with other major backers including Timothy Mellon and Linda McMahon. Vice President Kamala Harris also has support from more than 75 billionaires, including names such as Reid Hoffman and Michael Bloomberg. Trump’s fundraising has fallen behind Harris’, with her campaign reportedly raising over $1 billion since Biden dropped out of the race, while the Trump campaign has raised $309.2 million as of the end of August.
Musk’s financial support for Trump marks a shift in his political stance, as he has previously supported Democrats and criticized Trump’s character. His donations through the super PAC have been used to bolster the Trump campaign’s ground operations, particularly in terms of door-to-door canvassing. As the election approaches, it will be interesting to see how much more Musk will contribute and what impact his financial support will have on the outcome. The FEC filing provides a glimpse into Musk’s political giving, which has seen a significant increase in recent months, aligning himself with the Republican Party and the Trump campaign.
