How Elon Musk and Big Tech Poured Millions Into the Midterms, and Lost
Wired's 'Uncanny Valley' podcast analyzes the impact of high-profile political spending by tech figures like Elon Musk during the 2026 midterms. The discussion highlights the failure of these massive investments to influence election outcomes.
Why it matters
The failure of significant tech-sector political spending raises questions about the efficacy of billionaire influence in modern democratic elections.
Articles mentioned in this episode:
Democrats Sweep Republicans in Nearly Every Race That Matters
Voters Set $400 Million of Elon Musk’s Money on Fire
The Biggest Pro-AI Super PAC Network Didn’t Really Impact the Midterms
‘I’m 100 Percent at War With Trump’: MAGA Revolts After Midterms Wipeout
Knives Are Out in the White House
The Results Are In: Voters Hate Data Centers
Election Deniers Aren’t Contesting Their Massive Losses
You can follow Leah Feiger on Bluesky at @leahfeiger, Hugo Lowell on Bluesky at @hugolowell, David Gilbert on Bluesky at @davidgilbert, and Vittoria Elliott on Bluesky at @telliotter. Write to us at uncannyvalley@wired.com.
How to Listen
You can always listen to this week's podcast through the audio player on this page, but if you want to subscribe for free to get every episode, here's how:
Headlinne story · 3 newsrooms
Voters Reject Data Center Expansion Amid Midterm Election Blue Wave
What every outlet reported, where they differ, and how each framed it →
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