US

Elon Musk has donated $75m (£58m) to a campaign group he set up to support Donald Trump’s presidential bid.

The donation to America PAC, which was made in several payments over the summer, has been revealed in new campaign finance disclosures.

Around $72m (£56m) of the $75m (£58m) has already been spent by the group on canvassing efforts to encourage people to vote.

US election latest: Trump makes bizarre IVF claim

America PAC has been hit by problems with hiring campaigners in recent months, having fired two major contractors since July who were tasked with knocking on front doors.

Following the disclosure, Musk wrote on social media that America PAC was “just aiming for common sense, centrist values”.

Image:
Elon Musk jumps on stage alongside Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. Pic: Reuters

The billionaire previously supported the Democrats but has become a vocal backer of Mr Trump in recent months.

He has vowed to help with campaign efforts and joined the Republican candidate on stage at a campaign rally earlier this month in Pennsylvania.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player


2:09

Elon Musk joins Donald Trump on stage

At the event, Musk – who runs Tesla and SpaceX – jumped around on the stage and described next month’s presidential election as a “must-win situation” during brief remarks to the crowd.

Mr Trump has welcomed Musk’s support and described him as someone who is “as smart as you get”.

Read more:
Trump jokes about being shot
Kamala Harris’s medical history released
Can we trust US election polls?

There has been intense speculation over Musk’s contributions to the Trump campaign, after the Republican presidential candidate claimed in July that Musk gave him “$45m a month”.

The billionaire disputed the figure and later tweeted his donations were “at a much lower level”.

America PAC is one of several major political action committees in the US.

Such groups can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money in support of political candidates, on the condition that they do not co-ordinate with their campaigns or give money to them.

America PAC has declined to comment on the donations.

Musk is currently the world’s richest man, with an estimated net worth of $248bn (£191bn), according to Forbes.

Articles You May Like

Hyundai CEO vows the ‘best is yet to come’ with new EVs and advanced tech arriving soon
Apple and Google instructed by House committee to prepare to dump TikTok next month
Study highlights the impact of Reiki on pain, fatigue, and anxiety in cancer outpatients
Qatar energy minister: I don’t ‘worry much’ about Trump’s vow to lift LNG exports cap
West Ham pay tribute to Antonio in win over Wolves