Billionaire Elon Musk donated $5 million to a Super PAC backing his former Department of Government Efficiency co-leader Vivek Ramaswamy for governor of Ohio.
The SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO donated $5 million to the Super PAC, Victors Not Victims, on May 8 − more than a year after Ramaswamy left DOGE to launch a bid to replace term-limited Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, according to campaign finance records reported July 15.
After the 2024 election, President Donald Trump picked Musk and Ramaswamy to co-lead the government efficiency organization. But Ramaswamy left the effort shortly after to run for Ohio governor amid reports of friction between him and Musk.
Still, Musk was an early supporter of Republican Ramaswamy’s gubernatorial bid, writing on X that Ramaswamy had his “full endorsement” on Feb. 24, 2025. The $5 million donation was Musk’s first backing Ramaswamy’s bid.
Victors Not Victims, or V-PAC, reported $12.2 million in contributions between April and June. Other donors included Veeam Software founder Ratmir Timashev, billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman and entrepreneur Ross Stevens.
V-PAC’s top donor remains Pennsylvania businessman Jeff Yass, who advocates for school choice and private school scholarships. Yass has donated $20 million to the Super PAC.
Ramaswamy will face Democrat Dr. Amy Acton, former head of the Ohio Department of Health, in the Nov. 3 general election.
State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@usatodayco.com or @jbalmert on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ex-DOGE leader Elon Musk donates $5M to pro-Vivek Ramaswamy Super PAC
Reporting by Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
