Elon Musk dumps $158 million into Texas Senate race that Trump now fears losing in eleventh-hour Hail Mary

Elon Musk donated $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which channelled the money to a Texas political action committee supporting Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. Paxton has been trailing Democrat James Talarico in several polls, making the traditionally Republican seat a closely watched contest.

The Federal Election Commission disclosures show Musk gave $75 million and $83 million in September. A late-Thursday InsiderAdvantage poll put Paxton one point ahead, within the margin of error; earlier, Musk’s advisers had discussed concerns about Paxton’s campaign and a smaller fundraising plan. Donald Trump has endorsed Paxton and criticised people he says could be blamed if he loses, while former adviser Karl Rove has declined to support him, citing corruption charges and infidelity. Musk’s interest may also reflect SpaceX’s Texas headquarters.