Elon Musk's Super PAC targets Democratic Senate candidates over transgender issues
Elon Musk's America PAC has launched ads against Democratic Senate hopefuls in Texas, Ohio and Iowa, criticizing their transgender-related policies ahead of the midterm elections.
Elon Musk, chief executive of Tesla, has re-entered the political arena by funding America PAC, a super PAC he founded, to run attack ads against Democratic Senate candidates in three key swing states. The ads allege that Texas candidate James Talarico backs policies allowing male athletes in women’s sports and endorses tax-funded gender transition for minors, while also citing a past statement about gender being non-binary.
In Ohio, the PAC targets Sherrod Brown, claiming he places transgender issues above state values, and in Iowa it accuses Josh Turiek of supporting tax-funded gender transition for minors. All three candidates have contested the claims, noting mischaracterizations of their voting records or statements. America PAC has already spent substantial sums supporting Republican candidates in these races, and Musk’s involvement follows his earlier $260 million-plus contributions to the 2024 presidential election on behalf of Donald Trump and other Republicans.
How this story developed
- Aug 15 Trump aides say president reluctant to campaign for down-ballot Republicans
- Sep 4 The administration filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court.
- Sep 5 Judge extended the preliminary injunction blocking the rule.
- Sep 5 Judge Talwani issued a new order on Friday extending the injunction.
- Sep 6 Trump ordered a Dallas midterm convention just before Thanksgiving, triggering a ticket‑sale scramble and prompting several GOP officials to boycott the event.
- Sep 6 Administration filed a third petition to the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the injunction.
- Sep 7 A new poll shows Trump’s disapproval rating is nearly double its 2018 level, threatening GOP prospects in the midterms.
- Sep 7 MAGA Inc. filed an FEC report showing a new advertising purchase for the Texas Senate contest.
- Sep 8 Networks have scaled back live coverage of the convention to prioritize NFL opening‑weekend games.
- Sep 8 Republican strategists are distributing free tickets via unsolicited texts and a lottery to fill the venue.
- Sep 9 Organizers offered five‑figure tickets and hosted multiple donor events during the convention week.
- Sep 9 Prime Minister Carney publicly demanded an end to meme‑filled attacks amid the trade dispute.
- Sep 9 Texas Democrats adopt divergent tactics, with Tarrant County opting out of press events and Dallas County organizing a rally.
- Sep 9 Republican operatives voiced concerns that the convention’s timing clashes with the NFL opening weekend, limiting viewership.
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