Elon Musk Is Backing ‘JD Vance 2.0.’ Some Republicans Aren’t Sure That’s a Good Thing

At first, the donation seemed poised to shake up a tight US Senate primary. Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and the most prolific Republican donor during the 2024 election cycle, wrote a $10 million check to a super political action committee backing Nate Morris, a tech entrepreneur close to Vice President JD Vance. The super PAC, Fight for Kentucky, ran ads that touted the Tesla Inc. chief executive officer’s support as proof that Morris was “Kentucky’s real Trump guy.” Axios, which first reported the donation, called its size “stunning” and suggested that Musk’s money gave “Republicans a formidable weapon in the expensive battle to keep their congressional majorities.” But at this point, some Republicans are griping that Musk may have picked the wrong candidate.

Since Jan. 22, Fight for Kentucky has spent roughly $7.5 million, according to Federal Election Commission filings. It aired ads during the Olympic opening ceremonies and NBA games. It also paid more than $1 million for ads on YouTube, according to records from Google. The ads include endorsements from Musk and Charlie Kirk, who announced his support for Morris months before he was assassinated at a rally in Utah. They also feature a clip from Donald Trump Jr.’s podcast in which Trump Jr. praises Morris’ business acumen and predicts, “I’m sure we’ll do a lot together.”