President Donald Trump said Monday that he would move to protect Elon Musk if Democrats investigate the SpaceX and Tesla chief executive after the midterm elections, and he suggested he could issue pre-emptive pardons for staff and others around him if Democrats pursue them. The remarks came one day before voters head to the polls in an election in which Musk has spent heavily to help Republicans retain control of Congress.
The comments were first reported by Axios. Trump made them in an interview for the “Pod Force One” podcast, hosted by New York Post columnist Miranda Devine, that was published early Monday.
What Trump Said
Devine asked the president about rumors that Musk could face an investigation or have assets seized. “It’s talk. But if it is talk, we’ll have to protect them,” Trump said.
Trump also made clear he would consider pardons for his own staff and allies if Democrats target them. “I would if I needed to. Sure,” he said. “I would not even think about it. I’d do it,” he added.
On a possible third term, Trump said he would love to run again but that “the language is very exacting.” While seemingly closing that door, he suggested there was still time to advance his agenda. “You know, we have more than two years left. That’s a long time. You can do a lot in that period of time,” he said.
Musk’s Midterm Spending
The Axios report states that Musk has spent nearly half a billion dollars opposing Democrats during this election cycle. It adds that he recently suggested it would be the end of democracy if Democrats win the White House and Congress in 2028.
Reuters reported in mid-October that Musk had spent roughly $366 million in the 2026 cycle, including $276 million since July. A spokesman for his super PAC, America PAC, confirmed the figures.
Of the $276 million donated since July, $158 million went to the Senate Leadership Fund, the super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Another $76 million went to Musk’s own America PAC, and $20 million went to the Congressional Leadership Fund, which is aligned with House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The Republican Governors Association received $10 million, as did the Lone Star Liberty PAC, which backs Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate bid. The Republican Attorneys General Association received $2 million. Reuters also reported that Musk has given additional money through groups that do not disclose their donors, and that he spent roughly $290 million in the previous election cycle.
Background
In late July, reports indicated that Musk had authorized America PAC to spend between $100 million and $120 million on a get-out-the-vote program across at least eight states. “We’re excited to again be part of the team,” America PAC spokesperson Andrew Romeo said in a statement at the time.
The relationship between Trump and Musk has shifted considerably since Musk left the administration in 2025. In June 2025, in the first episode of the same podcast, Trump said, “Look, I have no hard feelings,” when discussing the breakdown of their alliance.
Musk later resumed political giving, including $5 million donations to the main super PACs backing House and Senate Republicans and $5 million to Trump’s MAGA Inc.
Why It Matters
Axios reported that Trump is positioning himself for a combative final two years in office as polls increasingly point to the prospect of a significant Democratic wave. Reuters has likewise reported that Democrats’ chances of retaking the House and Senate have improved, even as Musk’s spending has grown.
Midterm elections are scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. If Democrats win control of either chamber, they would gain the authority to open investigations and issue subpoenas, which is the scenario Trump was asked about in the interview.