Elon Musk has committed roughly $366 million to at least 40 races in the 2026 midterm election cycle, making him the largest individual donor so far. This record spending coincides with a surge in federal contracts for his companies, particularly SpaceX, and heightened political stakes regarding regulatory oversight and defense spending.
According to FedScout, a research firm tracking government spending, SpaceX has secured $6.78 billion in federal work in 2026 so far. This figure is nearly twice the company's total for all of 2024 and significantly higher than its $3.97 billion haul in 2025. Since 2008, SpaceX has received more than $30.7 billion in federal work, a total that excludes classified contracts and some state-funded services like Starlink terminals used in disaster recovery.
The acceleration in federal business has occurred alongside Musk's political engagement. Since July, at least $276 million of his political funds have flowed to Republican groups and his own America PAC, per a CNBC analysis of Federal Election Commission filings. Bruce Freed, president of the Center for Political Accountability, stated that Musk seeks influence on regulatory contracts and protection from oversight. "With all that spending, [Musk] wants favors in Congress and from the administration," Freed said.
Musk's business interests are deeply tied to specific government decisions. Tesla, headquartered in Austin, Texas, and SpaceX, which operates from Starbase in South Texas, depend on federal agencies for launch licenses, spectrum access, and defense contracts. Congress funds and oversees these agencies, including the Defense Department and NASA. Hilary Braseth, executive director of OpenSecrets, noted that keeping allies in committee powers helps Musk wield influence in Washington.
In Texas, at least $189.6 million of Musk's political money is targeted to help Republican Ken Paxton win a Senate seat. Democratic opponent James Talarico accused Musk of trying to "buy this Senate seat in Texas." Musk responded on X, stating there is something "deeply wrong" with Talarico. Talarico countered that the political system allows a trillionaire to buy his own senator. Musk has also given at least $6 million to Texas state candidates and groups, including Governor Greg Abbott.
Beyond Texas, America PAC has spent about $22.7 million on general election expenditures in six other battleground states through October 20. In Michigan, the group supports Republican Mike Rogers against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. In Ohio, it backs Republican Jon Husted against Democrat Sherrod Brown. These races involve debates over data center costs and AI development that directly affect Musk's companies.
SpaceX's AI division was awarded a Pentagon contract with a $200 million ceiling last July, and its Grok chatbot is available across federal agencies through March 2027 via a General Services Administration agreement. The Federal Aviation Administration approves SpaceX launch activities, while the Federal Communications Commission manages the satellite licenses and spectrum that Starlink relies on.
Musk's relationship with the Trump administration has fluctuated. After helping elect Trump in 2024, Musk led the Department of Government Efficiency but later faced threats to cut government support following a feud over a tax-and-spending bill in June 2025. Recently, Musk has re-entered Trump's orbit, attending state dinners and being appointed to co-lead Project Meridian by the Department of Defense on September 30.
Lobbying efforts reflect these priorities. Since January 2025, SpaceX has spent about $5.3 million lobbying on issues including NASA funding and defense spending. Tesla has spent about $3.6 million lobbying Washington on electric vehicle tax breaks and autonomous vehicle rules.