Elon Musk plans $100-120 million spending to support Republicans in midterm elections

Elon Musk plans to spend $100-120 million through his America PAC to support Republicans, including Senator Susan Collins, in the 2026 midterm elections. The PAC, which will use door-knocking and digital ads, has a history of controversial tactics from the 2024 election, including using misleading ads for data collection and sending illegal absentee ballot applications in Georgia. The revival of Musk's political spending coincides with his company SpaceX landing a $1.6 billion military contract.

America PAC revival plans

• ▪The PAC's revival was announced around the same time Elon Musk's company, SpaceX, received a $1.6 billion military contract
• ▪Elon Musk plans to spend $100 million to $120 million via his America PAC to support Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections
• ▪The spending will support Senator Susan Collins and other Republicans in close Senate races in states including Maine, Alaska, Iowa, Ohio, and Michigan
• ▪America PAC's planned activities include door-knocking, direct mail, and digital advertising
• ▪James Blair, a senior political advisor to Donald Trump, stated the PAC's return is a "huge boost for Republicans."

2024 election data collection tactics

• ▪The 2024 ads directed users to a data collection page for personal information but did not provide a link to register to vote
• ▪During the 2024 election, America PAC ran digital ads using an image of Donald Trump's assassination to attract users
• ▪Data collected from these ads was used to inform the PAC's canvassing operations in key states

Georgia absentee ballot violations

• ▪The Georgia State Elections Board voted to issue a formal letter of reprimand to America PAC for the illegal mailers
• ▪In 2024, America PAC sent Georgia residents partially pre-filled absentee ballot applications in violation of state law

Canvassing operation problems

• ▪Some canvassers exploited the app's technical flaws to fake door knocks, while others reported being "tricked and threatened."
• ▪Canvassers for America PAC in 2024 reported that the mobile app they were required to use was buggy