Musk Funds Ohio Governor Bid
Elon Musk Boosts Ramaswamy's Ohio Governor Bid With Millions, Signaling Thaw After Past Rift
Anonymous
Key Points
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V-PAC activity details: Musk donated $5 million to the pro-Ramaswamy super PAC Victors Not Victims (V-PAC) on May 8, and V-PAC reported $12.2 million in contributions between April and June, with top donor Jeff Yass contributing $20 million.
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Musk’s largest single political investment this year was a roughly $10 million backing for Kentucky Senate candidate Nate Morris via a Musk-backed super PAC, a wager that ultimately did not pay off as Morris withdrew from the race.
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Public endorsement amid the thaw: Musk publicly wished Ramaswamy well and declared, “Good luck, you have my full endorsement!” on X after their publicized falling out.
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Washington Times/NyTimes framing of Musk’s involvement notes ongoing engagement in midterm politics and his status as one of the cycle’s largest donors, with spending totaling at least $90 million, despite apparent disillusionment with mainstream Republican politics.
Elon Musk has put $5 million behind Vivek Ramaswamy's run for Ohio governor, donating to a pro-Ramaswamy super PAC called Victors Not Victims on May 8, according to Notus. The move signals a clear thaw between the two men after a public falling out following their joint leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk has now spent at least $90 million this election cycle on political causes. His $5 million gift joins a prior $1.6 million direct donation to Ramaswamy's campaign. Musk also publicly backed his former rival on X, writing: "Good luck, you have my full endorsement!"
A $5 Million Bet on Ohio's Most Watched Race
The Victors Not Victims super PAC reported $12.2 million in total contributions between April and June, per Hoodline. Musk's $5 million was among the largest single gifts. Hedge fund billionaire Jeff Yass topped that with a $20 million contribution to the same PAC.
Ramaswamy has also put about $25 million of his own money into the race. That gives his campaign a massive financial edge. Political observers now rate the Ohio governor's race a toss-up, with the Cook Political Report pointing to growing Democratic momentum as a key reason for the shift.
DOGE Split and the Road Back to Reconciliation
Musk and Ramaswamy co-led DOGE in the early days of President Trump's second term. Their partnership ended abruptly amid reports of clashes between the two, according to Business Insider. Ramaswamy left DOGE and soon announced his bid for Ohio governor.
Despite the rift, Musk's $5 million donation shows the two have moved past their differences. Musk's public endorsement on X came before the financial commitment was widely known. The donation is now the clearest sign yet that their alliance is back on track.
Musk's Broader Spending Spree Across U.S. Races
The Ohio donation is one piece of a much larger political operation. Musk has spent at least $90 million this election cycle, making him one of the biggest donors in the country. His largest single bet this year was roughly $10 million behind Kentucky Senate candidate Nate Morris — a wager that failed when Morris dropped out of the race.
Musk's spending spans multiple races and super PACs. Notus noted that his involvement reflects an ongoing effort to shape U.S. politics even as he has shown signs of frustration with mainstream Republican circles. His engagement shows no signs of slowing down.
Ramaswamy Faces a Tough Fight Against Amy Acton
On the Democratic side, Amy Acton — Ohio's former public health director — is the party's nominee. Democrats have ramped up fundraising and energy in the state. The Cook Political Report's shift to toss-up status reflects just how competitive the race has become.
Ramaswamy's combined war chest — his own $25 million plus outside money from Musk and Yass — gives him a strong financial base. But money alone may not be enough. National attention is now fixed on Ohio as an early test of both parties' strength heading deeper into the cycle.
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