Camilla Jessen
Elon Musk returns to Trump’s Republican camp as he begins funding 2026 races.
Elon Musk has started writing large checks to support Republican candidates in the 2026 midterm elections, Axios reports.
New donations ahead of 2026
According to two sources cited by the outlet, Musk has already contributed significant sums to Republican campaigns for both the House and Senate and has indicated he will continue donating throughout the election cycle.
The exact amounts will not become public until the next round of campaign finance disclosures is released.
His financial backing could provide a major boost for Trump-aligned Republicans as they work to maintain control of the House and prevent Democrats from retaking Congress.
From top donor to administration insider
Musk was the single largest donor of the 2024 election cycle, contributing around $291.5 million, most of it to support Trump’s re-election bid.
After Trump returned to office, the president placed Musk in a key role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative aimed at cutting federal spending.
In the early months of Trump’s second term, the two were close, and Musk even spent some nights at the White House.
Last month, Musk attended a private dinner at Vice President JD Vance’s residence at the Naval Observatory, joined by senior administration figures Susie Wiles and Taylor Budowich, as well as Musk aide Jared Birchall, who manages much of his political giving.
Rift and reconciliation
The relationship soured in May when Musk left the administration.
He was reportedly angered by Trump’s withdrawal of Jared Isaacman’s nomination to lead NASA, and he publicly criticised Trump’s signature legislation, calling it a “disgusting abomination.” Musk also revived discussion of Trump’s past ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Amid the rift, Musk threatened to launch a new political organisation — the “American Party” — and to back challengers against sitting Republicans. Trump responded by calling Musk “crazy” and expressing “disappointment.”
But tensions eased after the two spoke at the September memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Sources now say Musk is unlikely to support efforts to oust incumbents and is instead acting as a traditional GOP donor, funnelling money into party committees and major donor groups.
A cooler but functional relationship
Representatives for Trump, Musk and the major Republican super PACs declined to comment.
Sources familiar with the president’s thinking say that while the two men still speak occasionally, and Musk recently attended a White House dinner for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, their relationship is unlikely to return to the level of closeness it once had.
Sources: Axios.
