War Stories

Elon Musk Has a Lot to Lose if the Midterms Don’t Go His Way

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Oct 27, 2026 3:06 PM

Photo illustration by Slate. Photos by Kent Nishimura/ AFP via Getty Images and dr Barmely/iStock/Getty Images Plus.

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There’s no mystery why Elon Musk has spent an eye-popping $442 million to help Republicans win next week’s midterms—way more than the already-staggering $290 million that he gave GOP campaigns in 2024, including Donald Trump’s bid to regain the White House.

Musk’s motives are personal. If the Democrats win back control of the House, they will surely launch investigations into the Trump administration’s many misdeeds and malfeasances.…