On Friday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) criticized Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) CEO Elon Musk for planning to “spend up to $200 million to buy a Senate seat in Texas.”
Sanders Calls for End to Citizens United, Super PACs
In an X post, Sanders wrote that Musk spent $290 million to re-elect President Donald Trump and now wants to buy a Texas Senate seat and “keep Republicans in control of Congress.”
He called the latest spending plan “not democracy,” but “oligarchy,” and renewed calls to end Citizens United and ban super PACs.
He also said, “Get billionaires—from both parties—out of elections.”
Sanders’ latest criticism follows reports that Musk expected to spend $100 million to $200 million toward voter turnout in key races through his America PAC.
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This likely includes support for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton, who trails Democratic opponent James Talarico in fundraising by a wide margin.
This is not the first time Sanders has singled out Musk’s political spending. In late July, Sanders posted that Musk’s investment in Trump’s election had paid off, making him $438 billion richer.
Musk’s Personal Stake in Texas
Musk has closely tied his business empire and personal life to Texas. He moved the headquarters of his main companies, Tesla, SpaceX and X, to the state.
He has also built large manufacturing facilities and developed employee housing projects, including Snailbrook near Austin. Musk also moved his personal base of operations to the Austin area.
Feud Has Tracked Musk’s Wealth Swings
Sanders’ criticism of the Tesla CEO has grown more intense as the billionaire’s fortune has seen major changes.
Musk became the world’s first trillionaire on Jun. 12 after SpaceX’s initial public offering. That same day, Sanders wrote on X that Musk “pays the same amount into Social Security as someone making $184,500,” and called the situation “absurd.”
Texas Is Not Musk’s Only Senate Bet
The Texas spending plan follows a $10 million donation Musk made earlier this year to Fight for Kentucky, a super PAC backing Republican Senate candidate Nate Morris.
Musk’s targeted turnout spending reportedly spans several states beyond Texas, including Maine, Ohio, Alaska and Iowa, with the final allocation still subject to change.
Both public figures have squared up against each other on various other topics other than politics, and the feud has also not been one-sided.
In December, Musk called himself a “maker” in an X post while describing Sanders and others as “takers,” after Sanders questioned how Musk’s AI and robotics ventures would benefit working people.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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