WASHINGTON, DC, USA – Billionaire Elon Musk spent more than $250 million during the 2024 presidential campaign to support President-elect Donald Trump, including $20.5 million funnelled into a mysterious super PAC, RBG PAC, according to new campaign finance filings released Thursday, December 5, 2024.
RBG PAC, funded entirely by a donation from the Elon Musk Revocable Trust, launched a late-campaign advertising blitz suggesting that Trump opposed a federal abortion ban.
The ads sought to portray Trump as aligned with the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on abortion rights, a message that sparked backlash from Ginsburg’s granddaughter Clara Spera, who called the effort “nothing short of appalling.”
The PAC’s website tied Trump to the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade while emphasising his more recent position supporting states’ rights to set abortion laws.
This shift in Trump’s stance drew criticism from Democrats, who argued that a Republican-controlled Congress under Trump could still move to restrict abortion nationwide.
America PAC: Musk’s Primary Vehicle
The RBG PAC effort was only a fraction of Musk’s spending.
The majority of his contributions went to America PAC, a pro-Trump super PAC that received $238 million from Musk during the election cycle, including $120 million in the final weeks leading up to Election Day.
America PAC focused heavily on digital ads, direct mail, canvassing, and a controversial daily $1 million cash giveaway aimed at boosting voter turnout.
Federal disclosures list these payments as compensation for “spokesperson consultants.”
The giveaway drew legal challenges, including a lawsuit from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who sought to halt the programme, and a warning from the Justice Department about potential legal violations.
However, the efforts to stop the program were unsuccessful, and the PAC continued the initiative through Election Day.
Additional Contributions
In addition to supporting Trump directly, Musk gave $3 million to the MAHA Alliance, a super PAC affiliated with Robert F. Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
Musk’s financial involvement extended across multiple conservative and pro-Trump organisations, with additional contributions possibly yet to be disclosed as committees file reports.
Doug Mills/The New York Times
Musk’s Role in the Transition
Beyond his financial contributions, Musk has been a visible presence in Trump’s orbit.
He has frequently appeared at Mar-a-Lago and has been tapped to co-chair Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” initiative, aimed at reducing federal spending.
Musk’s involvement in the campaign and transition has drawn mixed reactions, with some within Trump’s circle reportedly uncomfortable with the billionaire’s growing influence.
Broader Impact
Musk’s massive financial support underscores the increasing role of ultra-wealthy donors in shaping political campaigns.
His contributions helped fuel Trump’s late-campaign momentum, despite criticism from opponents who questioned the ethics and legality of some campaign tactics.
As the 2024 election cycle comes to a close, the implications of Musk’s spending and its influence on policy-making under the Trump administration will likely remain a topic of intense scrutiny.
