TechTOP STORY
Talarico leans into rivalry with Elon Musk in Texas Senate race
Musk has put at least one hundred eighty-nine point six million dollars behind Republican Ken Paxton, and the race has drawn over five hundred million in ads; Texas may need earplugs.
On air: Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance on BBN After HoursPublished
At a glance
- First reported by The New York Times: “In Texas Senate Race, Talarico Leans Into Growing Rivalry With Elon Musk”, with reporting from CNBC, American Bazaar and Spectrum Local News.
- Covered on BBN on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 4:35 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Kenji Moonfield and Gloria Vance.
- Topics: Elon Musk, Texas, Alaska Senate.
- BBN covered this story before: SpaceX closes $40 billion debt deal for AI chips (October 26).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- The New York TimesIn Texas Senate Race, Talarico Leans Into Growing Rivalry With Elon Musk
- CNBCTexas Senate race: New Talarico ad rips Elon Musk 'dark money' push October 23, 2026 · facts used on air
- American BazaarMusk’s millions boost Ken Paxton in Texas senate race October 21, 2026 · facts used on air
- Spectrum Local NewsTalarico zeroes in on Elon Musk amid high-stakes Senate contest in Texas October 23, 2026 · facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn the Texas Senate race, Democratic nominee James Talarico is going after Elon Musk on the trail, and Musk is giving it right back.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorTalarico told a crowd that Musk wants our land, our water and our tax dollars, and that Texas is not for sale.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentOkay, so who's paying for the other side? Because that crowd sounds like it has a number in mind.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorCNBC counts at least one hundred eighty-nine point six million dollars of Musk's political spending behind Republican nominee Ken Paxton, through various methods.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentOne hundred eighty-nine million.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAnd Reuters says the race has drawn more than five hundred million dollars in advertising, on course to be the most expensive Senate race in history.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentMusk posted that something is deeply wrong with Talarico.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTalarico fired back that something is deeply wrong with a system letting one trillionaire buy his own senator. That's a group chat roast with a super PAC.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorTexans will be watching an ad every four minutes until the vote. The only ones not spending are the voters.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWow, even my streaming skips get ads for this race.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA different kind of news now, and a hopeful one.
The story so far
- Elon Musk's dangerous grip on outer space · The Verge
- Texas custodian Marilyn Hampton breaks down in tears as new… · New York Post
- What early voting trends in Texas show so far · CBS News
- NASA lines up SpaceX and Blue Origin for 2028 Moon Base push · The Times of India
- Stafford breaks Rams TD record; Antonelli nears F1 title · New York Post
- SpaceX closes $40 billion debt deal for AI chips · CNBC
- Talarico leans into rivalry with Elon Musk in Texas Senate race (this story)
- Texas dad deported to Ghana says he was sent on to Mali · CBS News
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Monday, October 26, 2026 · the Tech archive · all months
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