Bernie Sanders targets Elon Musk over $366 million in Republican funding ahead of US midterms
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US Senator Bernie Sanders has criticised Elon Musk over his reported $366 million in political contributions during the 2026 US election cycle, accusing the billionaire of using his growing wealth to influence American politics. The remarks come as Republicans prepare to defend their majorities in Congress against Democratic efforts to regain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
In a post on X on Monday, Sanders linked Musk’s political spending to the sharp increase in his wealth following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. The senator said Musk had spent $290 million to help elect Trump and subsequently seen his fortune increase by $696 billion. He alleged that Musk was now committing another $366 million to help Republicans retain control of Congress, ending his post with a call to “STOP MUSK. STOP OLIGARCHY”.
Where Musk’s political contributions are going
Musk has contributed approximately $366 million during the current election cycle, including more than $276 million since July, according to campaign finance figures reported by Reuters and The New York Times. The latest spending makes him the largest known individual political donor in the 2026 midterm contests, according to published reports.
The contributions include $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which supports Republican Senate candidates, and $76 million to America PAC, Musk’s political action committee. Other reported contributions include $20 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund, which backs Republican House candidates, and $10 million to Lone Star Liberty PAC, which supports Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton.
The spending marks a renewed push by Musk to support Republican candidates after he indicated in May 2025 that he intended to scale back his political involvement. His latest contributions come as the party faces a closely watched contest over control of Congress, with Democrats seeking to capitalise on voter concerns over inflation and the Trump administration’s policies.
Sanders’ criticism follows Musk’s India remarks
The exchange also comes days after Musk accused unnamed business interests in India of obstructing the entry of Starlink, his satellite internet service, to protect their market positions. Musk described the alleged influence of these interests as an example of oligarchic control.
India’s Ministry of Communications has maintained that the country’s authorisation framework for telecommunications and satellite communication services is fair and non-discriminatory. Satellite operators must also meet the applicable security requirements before launching commercial services.
Sanders’ remarks bring renewed attention to the debate over the role of concentrated wealth in politics. Musk’s contributions provide substantial financial backing to Republican-aligned organisations, although the reported spending figures alone do not establish that the donations will determine the outcome of the midterm elections.