Elon Musk's Ties to Texas Republicans Go Much Deeper Than the Midterms

As Election Day approaches, the billionaire's longstanding relationships with GOP leaders in Texas are under scrutiny. Elon Musk has enjoyed a cozy relationship with top Texas brass for years. And in recent weeks, as the midterm elections approach and Musk's financial support of the Texas GOP has become virtually limitless, that relationship has gone under the microscope. While polls suggest that a number of races in deep-red Texas are looking dizzyingly close, Federal Election Commission filings show that Musk has given at least $158 million to super PACs supporting Texas attorney general Ken Paxton's bid for Senate, and last week Musk explicitly endorsed him in a post on X. "The fate of Texas and America is at stake," Musk wrote. Newly released state campaign filings also show that Musk also donated $5,000,000 to Governor Greg Abbott's bid for reelection, making him his single largest donor.