Story perspectives

Musk accuses Texas Democrat Talarico of selling Texas

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 6:08 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Elon Musk posted a video on X accusing Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico of selling Texas.
Musk gave $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund and transferred it to a Texas super-PAC supporting Republican AG Ken Paxton.
James Talarico’s campaign raised $64 million from July through September, with 97% of donations under $100.
A Fox News poll on Oct. 21 showed Talarico and Paxton tied at 49% among likely Texas voters.

History

Historical Context

After the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision removed limits on corporate and union election ads, the Speechnow.org case that year enabled super-PACs, and spending by independent groups rose from $750 million (1990-2010) to $4.5 billion (2010-2020). In 2012 super-PACs poured $165 million into Senate races, a trend that today includes Elon Musk’s $158 million contribution to the Senate Leadership Fund.

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Story summary

Elon Musk posted a video on X accusing Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico of selling Texas.
Musk gave $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund and transferred it to a Texas super-PAC supporting Republican AG Ken Paxton.
James Talarico’s campaign raised $64 million from July through September, with 97% of donations under $100.
A Fox News poll on Oct. 21 showed Talarico and Paxton tied at 49% among likely Texas voters.

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