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Musk bankrolls GOP midterm push; White House feuds with Kimmel

Musk has reportedly built a presidential-level field operation for the midterm cycle; his flying Roadster, meanwhile, will only 'probably' work.

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Gloria Vance on BBN Newsroom
Published 12:00 PM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0

▶ As it aired · Tech

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Gloria Vance on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 12:00 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Wired's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Elon Musk — Photo: Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0

At a glance

First reported by Wired: “Elon Musk Is Almost Single-Handedly Funding the Republican Midterms Push”, with reporting from Washington Examiner and The Washington Times.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Gloria Vance.
Topics: Elon Musk, Republican, White House, GOP.
BBN covered this story before: FDA peptide push, Musk's record donation, Brewers go for the sweep (October 15).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

WiredElon Musk Is Almost Single-Handedly Funding the Republican Midterms Push
Washington ExaminerWhite House report card: It’s starting to look like a return to first-term chaos
The Washington TimesWill Tesla's 'flying' Roadster work? Musk says 'it will probably work'
The Washington TimesWhite House hits back at Jimmy Kimmel after late-night jokes about new press secretary

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWe're back with an update on the day's top stories.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWired reports Elon Musk has built a presidential-level field operation and has taken over much of the Republican get-out-the-vote effort this midterm cycle.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe White House says Jimmy Kimmel is a no-talent loser after he joked about the new press secretary.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe press secretary has, so far, not been asked to comment on the ratings.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd Musk showed off a flying Roadster, saying it will probably work.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorProbably. Same odds I give my coffee machine.

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