In a surprising twist of political theater, Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, contributed a hefty $10 million to Republican efforts to maintain control of Congress, despite his public disagreements with former President Donald Trump and criticisms of GOP policies. This donation was revealed in the latest filings with the Federal Election Commission, announced on Thursday.

Musk's political contributions were split equally between the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) and the Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), each receiving $5 million on June 27. These contributions have positioned Musk as the largest known individual donor to these key GOP super PACs this year, although they still represent just a fraction of the total funds raised by each group. The CLF reported earnings of $32.7 million, while the SLF brought in $26.4 million in the first half of the year.

This financial backing came shortly after Musk's very public fallout with Trump, particularly over the president’s signature budget bill which Musk opposed, citing concerns about its potential to increase the federal deficit. In June, amid these tensions, Musk even announced his intentions to launch his own political party, signaling a possible shift in his political strategy.

Previously, Musk had declared at the Qatar Economic Forum that he was stepping back from political spending. "If I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I don’t currently see a reason," Musk stated. However, his actions have since diverged markedly from this statement.

In addition to his contributions to the GOP, Musk has also been funneling substantial funds into his own super PAC, America PAC. This spring, he invested another $45 million into the PAC, which notably spent heavily on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Despite the investment, Musk’s preferred candidate lost significantly, suggesting a waning influence in political circles.

Furthermore, the FEC filings shed no light on the specifics of Musk’s new political venture, the America Party, though he announced its creation in early July. Details about the party's agenda or structure remain undisclosed as of the end of June.

As these political maneuvers unfold, the tech billionaire continues to shape his complex and sometimes contradictory role on the American political stage. While his recent contributions underscore his ongoing engagement in U.S. politics, they also highlight the unpredictable nature of his political affiliations and intentions. Senate Leadership Fund and Musk have not yet responded to requests for comment on these developments.