Elon Musk says he'll fund 'moderate candidates' to challenge Democrats in safer seats
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images; Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
- Elon Musk said he plans to fund "moderate candidates" to challenge Democrats in safe seats.
- It's unclear whether he would support Democrats in primaries, or moderate Republicans.
- It comes as Musk faces blame from lawmakers in both parties for tanking a government funding bill.
Elon Musk spent at least $277 million supporting President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican candidates in competitive races in 2024.
Now, he says he plans to direct some of his largesse toward unseating Democrats in safer seats.
"Forgot to mention that I'm also going to be funding moderate candidates in heavily Democrat districts, so that the country can get rid of those who don't represent them, like this jackass," Musk wrote on X on Thursday evening.
Musk was responding to a clip of Rep. Richard Neal, a Massachusetts Democrat, speaking on the House floor about the billionaire businessman's singular role in tanking a government funding bill earlier this week. The top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, Neal represents a deep-blue district and has consistently won reelection by an overwhelming margin.
It's not clear whether Musk meant that he would fund a Democratic primary challenger or a general election candidate to run against safe-seat Democrats like Neal. A spokesman for Musk's main super PAC, America PAC, declined to comment.
Neal reportedly laughed when informed of Musk's threat on Friday, telling a reporter: "That's fine with me."
In a statement to Business Insider, the congressman said: "Everyone knows I'm always ready."
An X account for the Ways and Means Committee Democrats posted a dismissive meme in response to Musk's post.
https://t.co/tDIhXt6klM pic.twitter.com/Wf9AtNk9ti
— Ways and Means Democrats (@WaysMeansCmte) December 20, 2024
In 2024, Musk's super PAC spent more than $19 million in House races, backing Republican incumbents and candidates in competitive races across the country.
Ten of the candidates he supported were victorious, while eight lost.
Musk has said that America PAC will continue spending money in forthcoming election cycles, including the 2026 midterm elections and even local district attorney races.
