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Republican cash flows in, with Musk-tied groups giving a big boost

Republican House and Senate candidates trail Democratic rivals in fundraising, but groups tied to Elon Musk and President Trump have kept the party competitive; the quiz is harder than the donating.

On air: Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger on Wake Up, America
Published 5:37 AM 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 · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger on this story, from Wake Up, America at 5:37 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are NPR'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 NPR: “How much money has Musk given to Republican groups since July? The quiz knows”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5:37 AM ET on Wake Up, America, by Chip Darnell and Hank Ledger.
Topics: Republican, Musk.

The real story

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

NPRHow much money has Musk given to Republican groups since July? The quiz knows

What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorNPR even has a quiz on how much Musk gave since July, and I got a zero, Hank!

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