Elon Musk gives $75M to his own America PAC in push to elect Trump
Billionaire Elon Musk gave nearly $75 million to the political action committee he created to campaign for Donald Trump, marking his latest contribution in support of the former president in the final stretch of the campaign.
America PAC has emerged as a significant player in Trump’s reelection bid, with the committee launching this spring with early support from wealthy donors, including former Tesla director Antonio Gracias, Palantir co-founder and Austin-based tech investor Joe Lonsdale, and Sequoia Capital investor Shaun Maguire.
The super PAC is focused on get-out-the-vote operations in swing states, including Pennsylvania, where it is planning a canvasser hiring surge before Election Day, The Washington Post previously reported.
Musk’s contribution is part of a larger wave of fundraising hauls reported on Tuesday by several PACs, congressional campaigns and some presidential committees.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s primary fundraising vehicle for big-dollar donations, the Harris Victory Fund, brought in a staggering $633 million. That’s nearly five times as much as Trump 47’s $145 million, according to reports filed Tuesday night. It reflects a continued disparity in the financial resources directly available to both campaigns. However, a full picture of the financial strength of the Trump and Harris efforts will not be available until Sunday, when the campaigns and parties file detailed reports with the Federal Election Commission.
Musk, one of the world’s richest people, has invested significant time and resources in supporting Trump’s campaign, and has been heavily involved in the PAC’s operations. The entrepreneur endorsed Trump in July after a gunman opened fire at one of Trump’s rallies, injuring the former president and killing a spectator. Musk has also increasingly used his social media platform, X, to promote Trump’s candidacy to his 200 million followers.
Trump has repeatedly praised Musk at rallies in the months following his endorsement. The former president has also pledged to launch a government efficiency committee if elected, which Trump said Musk will lead.
Musk also spoke at Trump’s rally this month in Butler, Pa., saying the former president “must win to preserve democracy in America.”
While super PACs have historically used their cash advantage to invest in television advertising, a March ruling by the FEC paved the way for campaigns to share information and data on voter turnout efforts with outside groups. In an effort to remain financially competitive this election cycle, the Trump campaign has outsourced some advertising and voter-turnout efforts to outside groups, including America PAC.
As of Tuesday night, America PAC has reported more than $100 million in spending supporting Trump in the presidential race. But it has earmarked no spending for television ads, instead spending tens of millions on canvassing and direct mail. It has also spent to support Republican candidates in some House and Senate races, including Reps. Michael Lawler (N.Y.) and Ken Calvert (Calif.) in their toss-up districts.
Reports from some pro-Trump committees show wealthy backers are spending a lot in support of his reelection bid.
Miriam Adelson, a doctor and the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, donated $95 million to Preserve America PAC between July and September. The PAC, which is primarily funded by Adelson, has been one of the largest pro-Trump advertising super PACs this election cycle.
Business executive Richard Uihlein sent $49 million to Restoration PAC, which also supports Trump. And other top donors supported the Right for America super PAC: Businessman Isaac “Ike” Perlmutter and his wife gave $4.9 million, while venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz gave $2.5 million each.
Trump 47, the fundraising committee bringing big-dollar donations to Trump’s campaign, saw contributions from Andreessen, former Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder and cryptocurrency investors Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.
Trisha Thadani and Elizabeth Dwoskin contributed to this report.
