U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders on Tuesday issued a strong condemnation of billionaire Elon Musk, accusing him of attempting to cement an "oligarchy" through significant political donations. Sanders highlighted Musk's reported spending of $366 million to bolster Republican efforts in the November midterm elections, aiming to help the party retain control of Congress.
Musk's Political Contributions Under Scrutiny
Sanders' remarks come amidst reports detailing Musk's substantial financial involvement in the current election cycle. According to a Reuters report, Musk has allocated approximately $366 million towards the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, with $276 million of that sum spent since July alone. This spending positions Musk as potentially the largest individual political donor in this year's races.
The Senator also referenced Musk's previous political contributions, noting nearly $300 million spent to aid Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Sanders argued that these investments have yielded significant personal benefits for Musk, claiming the Tesla and SpaceX CEO's wealth has increased by $696 billion since Trump's election.
Impact on Congressional Control
The timing of Musk's donations coincides with a tightening race for control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in both chambers. In the 435-member House, Republicans control 218 seats to the Democrats' 214, with two seats vacant. Democrats would require a net gain of five seats to secure a majority.
Sanders' call to "STOP MUSK. STOP OLIGARCHY" underscores growing concerns about the influence of ultra-wealthy individuals on American politics and policy-making.
Alleged Benefits to Musk's Businesses
Critics point to several instances during the Trump administration where policies or actions allegedly favored Musk's business interests. For example, in March 2025, former President Trump publicly endorsed Tesla vehicles, even purchasing one himself. Additionally, diplomatic cables cited by The Washington Post in May 2025 reportedly showed U.S. officials encouraging countries facing American tariffs to approve Musk's Starlink satellite internet service.
These diplomatic efforts were said to target nations including India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lesotho, aiming to expand Starlink's global presence. As of October 2026, Starlink operates in over 160 countries and territories worldwide.