Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is hitting back at Elon Musk, accusing the tech billionaire of attempting to purchase a personal senator by pouring massive sums into the campaign of his Republican opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton.
“There is something deeply wrong with a political system that allows one trillionaire to buy his own personal U.S. Senator,” Talarico wrote Wednesday on X, the platform owned by Musk. His remarks came in response to Musk’s recent post suggesting “there is something deeply wrong” with the Democratic nominee.
Musk formally endorsed Paxton earlier this week, after federal filings revealed he had contributed $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, which then transferred the money to Texas PAC, a super PAC backing Paxton’s bid. The contribution made Musk the sole donor to that PAC in the third quarter, and the largest known donor of the 2026 midterm cycle.
“The fate of Texas and America is at stake. Vote for @KenPaxtonTX today,” Musk wrote on Tuesday, signaling his deep involvement in the race.
The exchange underscores the growing influence of ultra-wealthy individuals in American politics, a theme that has drawn criticism from both sides. Talarico’s accusation echoes broader concerns about campaign finance, particularly after similar controversies in other Senate races.
Recent polling from Emerson College Polling and The Hill shows the Texas race is virtually tied, with Talarico at 48 percent and Paxton at 46 percent, within the margin of error. The contest is seen as one of the most competitive Senate races this cycle, with Democrats showing surprising strength in traditionally red states.
Musk has deep ties to Texas, where he oversees SpaceX’s Starbase facility, which became an incorporated city last year, as well as The Boring Company in San Antonio and a new semiconductor and AI compute facility in Grimes County. His business interests give him a direct stake in Texas politics, and his spending has raised questions about the line between business influence and political power.
Despite earlier statements that he would reduce his political involvement, Musk has become the most prominent donor of the 2026 cycle. His involvement has also drawn criticism from those who see it as an attempt to exert undue influence over elected officials.
Talarico’s campaign has framed the race as a fight against billionaire-driven politics, while Paxton’s team welcomes Musk’s support as a boost to their efforts. With the election approaching, the role of money in politics is likely to remain a central issue.
