Scoop: Musk shocks with $10 million donation in Ky. Senate race

Elon Musk has cut a massive $10 million check to bolster Nate Morris, an outsider, pro-Trump candidate running to succeed retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The stunning gift is the biggest sign yet that Musk plans to spend big in the 2026 midterms, giving Republicans a formidable weapon in the expensive battle to keep their congressional majorities.

Zoom out: After a bitter falling out with President Trump last year and threatening to start a third party, Musk is now firmly back in the GOP camp.

• Musk, the world's richest person, also recently gave major contributions to the pro-House and Senate GOP super PACs, Axios reported last month.

Those donations followed a November dinner Musk had with Vice President Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich.

• Musk has indicated privately to Republican operatives that he plans to give more.

Zoom in: Musk's $10 million donation to the pro-Morris Fight for Kentucky super PAC, delivered last week, is the biggest single contribution he's ever given a Senate candidate.

• Musk was the biggest donor during the 2024 campaign, contributing nearly $300 million to pro-Republican causes. The vast majority of the funds went toward supporting Trump.

The intrigue: During a recent conversation with Morris, 45, Musk came away impressed with Morris' business background and anti-establishment message.

• Musk also liked that Morris, a ninth-generation Kentuckian, is presenting himself as anti-McConnell, according to a person familiar with the conversation.
• Musk is close to Vance, who counts Morris as a personal friend.

The backstory: Morris, an entrepreneur and tech executive, launched his campaign during an appearance last year on Donald Trump Jr.'s podcast, and is running as an anti-immigration hardliner.

• Morris was endorsed by conservative activist Charlie Kirk before his death last year. Morris also has the support of Sens. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and MAGA podcaster Steve Bannon.

Trump hasn't yet endorsed in the Bluegrass State primary, which also includes Rep. Andy Barr and former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

• Republicans are heavily favored to retain the seat.

Morris founded Rubicon, one of America's largest waste and recycling companies, starting with a $10,000 line of credit in 2008.

• He plans to largely self-fund his campaign through the May primary, according to a person familiar with his plans.