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Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 194

What Just Happened?

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 194: What Just Happened?

Three Megadonors Are Powering the GOP Spending Edge

October 16, 2026 · 10:26 am ET · Leave a Comment

“A handful of megadonors are giving big to try and keep Republicans’ midterm hopes alive,” Politico reports.

“Elon Musk gave at least $276 million to boost Republicans in the third quarter, making him by far the largest spender of the cycle. Midwestern shipping magnate Richard Uihlein put $66 million more into a super PAC that has spent in federal and state races across the country, bringing his total giving this cycle past $130 million. Pennsylvania businessman Jeff Yass put another $10 million into a super PAC backing Vivek Ramaswamy’s Ohio gubernatorial bid, increasing his total donations on the cycle to over $105 million.”

“Together, the three billionaires accounted for more than $600 million in federal donations to Republicans this cycle.”

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2026 Campaign, Campaign Finance

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Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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