Controversial tech magnate Elon Musk stepped up his political giving in August, giving his largest-known political donation ever to boost House Republicans’ efforts to preserve their vulnerable majority.
The National Republican Congressional Committee reported receiving $289,100 from Musk in August, according to its report filed with the Federal Election Commission Friday. The money came through a joint fundraising committee linked to Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), the filing indicated, and most of it was earmarked for the NRCC’s convention and headquarters accounts, as is typical for donations of that amount.
Musk — the richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of over $250 billion — has given to both Democrats and Republicans in the past, but not in such significant amounts.
Musk has amped up his political involvement in recent months. He has forged a relationship with former President Donald Trump, whom he is assisting by bankrolling America PAC, a pro-Trump outside group. The organization, which has undergone a leadership shuffle in recent months, is expected to play a major role in helping to turn out voters for the former president and recently began spending in competitive House races across the country as well.
It is likely that Musk has given more to America PAC than the NRCC. The super PAC, which can accept unlimited amounts from individual donors, is due to disclose its financial activity for the third quarter of this year on Oct. 15, which will give a clearer picture of how much Musk has given to the group.
And in another indication of his stepped-up political involvement, Musk has hired a political gatekeeper, longtime Republican operative Chris Young. Young’s hiring was first reported by The New York Times.
How much money Musk ends up investing in the election remains an open question. In July, the Wall Street Journal reported that he planned to donate around $45 million a month to help Trump. Musk, however, later denied the report.
Despite the influx of cash from Musk, the NRCC raised just $9.7 million in August, compared to $22.2 million raised by its Democratic counterpart.