Elon Musk Back to Meddling in American Elections, Unleashing Anti-LGBTQ+ Ad Spending to Distract from MAGA Failures

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, responded to a new wave of spending of anti-LGBTQ+ political advertising from the Elon Musk-backed America PAC. The ads started running today in the U.S. Senate races in Alaska, Ohio, Texas, and Iowa.

In 2024, Musk spent $290 million in support of Trump and the Republican Party, making him the largest individual donor that year. Musk went on to lead DOGE in the White House, gutting government programs across the board that have resulted in harm for families across the nation. 

“Elon Musk is scapegoating LGBTQ+ Americans to distract voters from the cuts he made and the chaos he has caused.” said HRC National Press Secretary Ramiro Sarmiento. “Trans people aren’t the reason cancer research has stalled, rural hospitals have closed, or food recalls are everywhere — that’s all because of Elon’s cuts. Like always, Elon is trying to save his bought and paid for politicians. But American voters won’t be fooled.” 

Equality remains a winning issue. HRC’s 2024 post-election research found that while 64% of Americans remembered seeing an anti-trans ad, only 4% said opposition to transgender health care or sports participation motivated their vote. What voters were overwhelmingly concerned about was the cost of living. Today, that remains the primary concern for most voters. Cost of living has only increased since 2024 and Americans are looking for solutions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. 

Updated population estimates show a record-high 12% of US adults –  roughly 25.6 million people –  identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or gender diverse. LGBTQ+ adults are poised to play a decisive role in competitive statewide contests including in the states targeted by Musk’s America PAC. LGBTQ+ people make up 14.13% in Alaska (65,183 adults) 10.5% in Iowa (219,000), 11.29% in Ohio (883,000), and 12.54% in Texas (2.2 million).