Musk pumps $158m into Texas Senate race as Trump fears he could LOSE deep-red state to Democrat

Elon Musk made two donations totalling $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund PAC in September, money immediately funnelled to a Texas group backing Republican Ken Paxton. Trump has campaigned in Texas three times in a month and vowed to return, openly blaming "weak and ineffective political hacks" for putting a historically safe seat at risk. A new InsiderAdvantage poll shows Paxton one point ahead of Democrat James Talarico — a lead that falls inside the margin of error.

No Democrat has won a statewide Texas race in over 30 years, and Talarico is seeking to end that streak; he has already outraised Paxton's campaign directly, pulling in $64m in Q3.

Trump turned his fire on incumbent Senator John Cornyn and Republican strategist Karl Rove, saying responsibility for any Paxton defeat would fall squarely on them.

Talarico told a packed rally 'you are my slingshot,' casting himself as David against Musk's $158m Goliath.