Tech · November 4, 2026
Elon Musk’s nearly half a billion dollars in midterms spending was a flop
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Following the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, reports indicate that President Donald Trump’s ally Elon Musk spent approximately $446 million supporting Republican candidates and Super PACs. Despite this record-breaking expenditure, which surpassed his 2024 spending, Democratic candidates won several key races, including all five Senate contests where Musk’s America PAC was most active. In Texas, where Musk relocated his business headquarters from California citing political and regulatory concerns, Democrats achieved significant victories, including James Talarico’s defeat of Musk-backed Ken Paxton. This political shift in Texas raises questions about the future of Musk's various business interests in the state, such as the SpaceX Starbase and a massive planned manufacturing facility in Grimes County.
Read the original coverage
- The VergeTrade
17 better ways Elon Musk could have wasted $446 million
Read at The Verge ↗ - Ars TechnicaTrade
After Texas' blue wave, what happens to Elon Musk and SpaceX?
Read at Ars Technica ↗ - The GuardianMainstream
Elon Musk’s nearly half a billion dollars in midterms spending was a flop
Read at The Guardian ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Elon Musk spent approximately $446 million on the 2026 midterm elections.
- Musk's spending set a record for midterm election expenditures.
- The funds primarily supported Republican candidates and Super PACs.
- Democrats won all five Senate races where Musk’s America PAC focused its highest spending.
- James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton in a Texas Senate race despite Musk's opposition.
- Musk previously moved his personal residence and business headquarters to Texas from California.
Reported by only some outlets
- Elon Musk outdid his 2024 election spending of nearly $290 million.
- Musk's America PAC spent specifically $47 million to defeat James Talarico.
- James Talarico won with 55 percent of the vote.
- SpaceX is planning a 100 million square foot 'Terafab' factory in Grimes County, Texas.
- Musk began using the name 'Starbase' for SpaceX facilities in 2021.
Industry-friendly coverage frames it as…
emphasize the scale of Musk's 'Terafab' and Starbase expansions as 'the most epic' manufacturing efforts and highlight the business motivations for his move to Texas.
Skeptical / consumer coverage frames it as…
portray Musk's political spending as a 'flop' and a 'poor investment,' suggesting his reliance on social media has led to a 'delusional' waste of money.
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CadNews does not determine absolute truth or endorse political viewpoints. It compares publicly available reporting, identifies shared facts, highlights framing differences, and flags uncertainty.