Washington: Elon Musk has contributed approximately $44 million to a super PAC supporting Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, according to federal disclosures made public Thursday. This significant funding, provided in early October, highlights Musk’s growing influence in the campaign for the Republican candidate as the November 5 election nears.
The substantial donation was detailed in America PAC’s recent filing with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), revealing Musk’s enhanced backing after previously donating around $75 million to the PAC from July through September. America PAC has been pivotal in mobilizing voter turnout in swing states, potentially determining the election outcome. The PAC also reported $47 million in spending in early October to support Trump’s campaign in these competitive states.
Given that Trump’s campaign relies heavily on third-party support to engage and mobilize voters, Musk’s super PAC has taken on a critical role in what is expected to be a closely contested election between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
In a separate report filed with the FEC, Trump’s campaign disclosed spending over $88 million on advertisements in the first half of October, leaving $36 million for the campaign’s final days. During this period, Trump’s campaign raised an additional $16 million.
On the other side, Harris’s campaign, which has outpaced Trump’s fundraising and spending efforts in recent months, revealed expenditures exceeding $130 million on ads in early October. The Harris campaign raised $97 million and held $119 million in available funds by mid-October.
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Another conservative group, the Sentinel Action Fund, also disclosed a $2.3 million contribution from Musk, underscoring his commitment to bolstering conservative electoral efforts. Musk’s contributions to America PAC position him among the top Republican donors, joining high-profile figures like Timothy Mellon and Miriam Adelson.
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As part of its voter outreach strategy, America PAC has launched a campaign offering $1 million per day to randomly selected voters who sign its petition, open exclusively to registered voters in swing states. However, CNN recently reported that the Justice Department has issued a warning to America PAC, expressing concerns that the cash giveaways could violate federal laws prohibiting incentives for voter registration. Legal experts are divided on whether this initiative infringes on election law, with the PAC yet to comment on the DOJ’s letter.
