Elon Musk appears to have re-entered the political arena, signaling fresh financial backing for Republican candidates as the 2026 midterm elections approach. The Tesla and X owner suggested that a Democratic victory would spell disaster for the country.
“America is toast if the radical left wins,” Musk wrote Thursday on X. “They will open the floodgates to illegal immigration and fraud. Won’t be America anymore.”
Musk shared the remark alongside a video showing him nodding as President Donald Trump patted him on the arm during a recent White House event. The accompanying post claimed Musk was “going all-in” on funding Republicans to help Trump regain full control of Congress in the 2026 midterms.
The statement marks another turn in a relationship between Musk and Trump that has swung between close alliance and public rupture over the past year.
Musk previously led the Department of Government Efficiency during the early months of Trump’s second term, and the two appeared united during a high-profile interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. When Musk left the role last May, Trump praised him publicly, presenting him with a gold key to the White House.
“Elon gave an incredible service,” Trump said at the time. “There’s nobody like him… an incredible patriot.”
That goodwill faded after Musk accused Trump of concealing files related to Jeffrey Epstein, a claim that sharply strained their relationship. During that period, Musk even floated the idea of launching a new political party.
More recently, Musk reflected on his time in government, telling Katie Miller, wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, that he would have chosen a different path if given the chance.
“Instead of doing DOGE, I would have basically built, worked on my companies,” Musk said, adding that stepping away might have spared Tesla from a wave of vandalism incidents that made headlines.
Despite past tensions, Musk and Trump have reconnected in recent months. They were seen together at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, and Musk attended a White House dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last November.
According to The Washington Post, Vice President JD Vance played a central role in repairing the relationship. Axios later reported that Musk had recently written large checks to support Republican congressional candidates, a claim Musk appeared to affirm on New Year’s Day.
Musk spent an estimated $290 million backing Trump and Republican efforts in the 2024 election. How much he invests in the 2026 midterms could prove equally consequential.
