Mon Nov 04 21:24:59 UTC 2024: ## Elon Musk Poured Millions Into 2024 Election, Boosting Trump and GOP Candidates
**Washington D.C.** – Federal filings have revealed that Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, contributed a staggering $56 million in the final weeks of the 2024 election to Donald Trump and other Republican candidates. This brings his total spending to at least $132 million, aiming to secure a Republican victory in the White House and Congress.
Musk, previously known for his limited political donations, dramatically increased his contributions in October, sending $43.6 million to his super PAC, “America First Action”. This boosted his overall 2024 donations to a whopping $118.6 million. Additionally, he dispersed millions across various political organizations, solidifying his influence and expanding his network of allies.
This level of giving propelled Musk to the top tier of political donors, placing him among the biggest contributors in the 2024 cycle. The filings, covering donations up to October 16, provide a comprehensive overview of federal campaign and super PAC finances before Election Day on November 5.
Musk’s super PAC, “America First Action”, directed its funds towards boosting Trump’s campaign in battleground states and supporting Republican candidates in swing districts, aiming to secure a GOP majority. The PAC also spent heavily on digital advertising campaigns, some specifically targeting young adults and aiming to counter Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris’s appeal among female voters.
Other recipients of Musk’s generosity include the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC supporting Republican Senate candidates, receiving $10 million, and Sentinel Action Fund, a super PAC dedicated to bolstering Republican Senate campaigns, receiving $2.3 million.
Musk’s political endeavors have attracted scrutiny from federal authorities. The U.S. Justice Department sent a letter to his super PAC, warning that a program offering registered voters in swing states $1 million per day to sign an online petition could violate federal law. It is illegal to pay individuals to vote or register to vote.
Musk’s massive contributions are just one piece of the massive fundraising landscape in the 2024 election. Other notable donors include investor Nelson Peltz and members of the DeVos family, long-time Republican donors. Betsy DeVos served as Trump’s Secretary of Education.
“America First Action” spent $47 million and had $3.3 million cash on hand 19 days before Election Day. Since its inception earlier this year, the PAC has spent $105 million supporting Trump.
Musk’s unparalleled role in the 2024 campaign extends beyond financial contributions. He shared the stage with Trump and held his own campaign rallies without the former president. At a recent event in Pennsylvania, Musk used incendiary rhetoric, proclaiming, “This election is going to decide the fate of America. With the fate of America, also the fate of Western Civilization.”
Trump, if re-elected, reportedly asked Musk to join his administration, leading a government efficiency department, or “DOGE” (an acronym for “Cut Government Waste”).
Deep-pocketed donors are playing a crucial role in supporting Trump, who is trailing significantly in fundraising compared to Harris. According to AdImpact data, Trump is outspending Harris in the seven battleground states crucial to the final stretch of the election. He has purchased $352 million in advertising compared to Harris’s $214 million.
Harris’s fundraising gains have enabled her to open over 330 field offices with over 2,000 paid staff. However, a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll shows the candidates are statistically tied among voters in the seven swing states. This razor-thin margin highlights the potential impact of the final blitz of advertising, rallies, and door-knocking campaigns on who will claim the White House.
**In the final days of his third presidential campaign, Trump and the GOP received contributions from Miriam Adelson of Las Vegas Sands, Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets, Jeffrey Hildebrand, founder of Hilcorp Energy, Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, and Adam Johnson, chairman and CEO of NetJets Inc.**
Trump’s main super PAC, MAGA Inc., received $5 million from Facebook co-founder Jan Koum and $1 million contributions from Johnson and investment banker Warren Stephens. Koum’s contribution was in the form of Meta Platforms Inc. stock.
Adelson did not contribute any funds to her super PAC, Preserve America, but Oracle CEO Safra Catz gave $1 million and Uline co-founder Elizabeth Uihlein donated $3 million. Vote for America, focused on bolstering Trump’s ground game, raised $6.9 million and had $8.6 million cash on hand in the final days. Billionaire Diane Hendricks contributed $5 million to the group.
Harris has attracted major Democratic donors for her campaign and the Democratic Party, including Barry Diller, CEO of media company IAC Inc., James Murdoch, CEO of Lupa Systems, and his wife, Kathryn Murdoch, and former Blackstone Group executive Tony James.
Future Forward received $40 million from its joint nonprofit, Forward USA Action, which does not disclose its donors, as well as $25 million from Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz and $1 million from venture capitalist Vinod Khosla.
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