Musk funded Lawler's campaign in New York City

Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, faced questions during a CNN interview about donations from Elon Musk. Lawler was confronted by former Congressman Jamaal Bowman, a Democrat, who suggested that Lawler avoids criticizing Musk because of his financial support. During the exchange, CNN anchor Abby Phillip asked Lawler if Musk was a major donor to his campaign. Lawler responded, "Not directly," explaining that Musk had funded independent groups instead. Reports indicate that Musk contributed more than $1.7 million to support Lawler’s campaign in the 2024 election, helping him defeat Democrat Mondaire Jones. Federal records show Musk spent about $19 million to back multiple congressional races, targeting key seats to maintain a Republican majority. Lawler is scheduled to run for re-election in 2026 but is also rumored to be considering a run for governor. Musk has previously made donations to other Republican candidates who support efforts to impeach judges critical of former President Trump. The situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding campaign financing and the influence of wealthy donors in U.S. politics.