Elon Musk has donated $5 million to a super PAC supporting Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for Ohio governor, according to campaign finance filings published Wednesday. The contribution comes despite reports of tensions between the two after Ramaswamy left the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative under President Donald Trump.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
- Elon Musk donated $5 million to V-PAC, a super PAC backing Vivek Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial bid in Ohio.
- Ramaswamy, a former DOGE co-leader, is running against Democratic candidate Amy Acton in a closely watched race.
Deeper Dive & Context
Background on Musk and Ramaswamy’s Relationship
Musk and Ramaswamy were initially tapped to co-lead the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency under Trump. However, Ramaswamy announced his departure from DOGE shortly before Trump’s inauguration, citing differing approaches with Musk. Despite reports of clashes, Ramaswamy told Fox News that their relationship was not adversarial.
Musk’s Political Spending
The $5 million donation is part of Musk’s broader political spending this election cycle, which has reached at least $90 million. His largest investment this year was in Kentucky Senate candidate Nate Morris, whose campaign ended after a Musk-backed super PAC spent roughly $10 million. Musk had previously stated he would reduce political spending after stepping away from DOGE in May 2025.
Ramaswamy’s Campaign
Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur who founded a pharmaceutical company, won the Republican nomination for Ohio governor in May. He has been endorsed by both Musk and Trump, who publicly supported his candidacy on social media. The race against Amy Acton, a former state health official, is considered competitive.
Reactions and Implications
The donation highlights Musk’s continued influence in Republican politics, despite his earlier claims of scaling back. Ramaswamy’s campaign has not publicly addressed the reported tensions with Musk, focusing instead on his gubernatorial platform.