Elon Musk gives $276 million to Republican groups, becomes biggest known 2026 midterm donor

US President Donald Trump and SpaceX Founder and CEO Elon Musk speak to the media at the White House driveway following a luncheon for tech leaders in the East Room, in Washington, D.C., US, Sept. 29, 2026. Jonathan Ernst | ReutersElon Musk spent more than $276 million in newly disclosed donations to Republican groups since July, making him the biggest known donor of the 2026 midterm election as the party fights to hold its majorities in Washington this November.The largest share – $158 million – went to the Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC backing Republican Senate candidates, according to figures provided by Musk's representatives to The New York Times and confirmed Monday to CNBC by Lindsey Curnutte, a spokesperson for Musk's America PAC.The Tesla and SpaceX CEO also gave more than $76 million to America PAC, the group he founded during the 2024 election, which has built a large voter-turnout operation in competitive Senate and House races.The new contributions bring Musk's known federal political giving for the 2025-26 cycle to roughly $366 million, already surpassing the approximately $290 million he spent during the 2024 presidential election. The scale of the lates...