New campaign finance reports have shed light on billionaire Elon Musk's significant financial contributions during the 2024 campaign. His actions have had a notable impact on the political landscape.

Unraveling Elon Musk's Election Finances

Elon Musk and RBG PAC

During the 2024 campaign, Elon Musk poured a substantial amount of money into RBG PAC. As per the report filed with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday night, he financed this super PAC with a whopping $20.5 million. This single donation from the Elon Musk Revocable Trust in Austin, Texas, became the sole source of funds for the group. RBG PAC, which had remained silent about its donors before the election, launched ads claiming that President-elect Donald Trump did not support a federal abortion ban. The group's website even went as far as to state that Trump and the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg agreed on the abortion issue, a claim that drew sharp criticism from Ginsburg's granddaughter Clara Spara. She told The New York Times that the message was "nothing short of appalling."

This significant financial move by Musk shows his active involvement in the political arena and his stance on certain issues. It raises questions about the influence of billionaires like Musk on election outcomes and policy decisions.

The ads launched by RBG PAC through this substantial donation likely had an impact on the public perception and the political discourse surrounding the abortion issue during the campaign.

Elon Musk and America PAC

Musk's election spending extended beyond RBG PAC. He also financed America PAC, a super PAC that reported spending a whopping $157 million in support of Trump in the presidential race. The latest campaign finance report of America PAC revealed that Musk donated a staggering $238 million throughout the election cycle. This includes a massive $120 million in the final weeks of the race alone.

The funds from America PAC were used for various activities such as canvassing, text message-based get-out-the-vote efforts, printing and postage (most likely for direct mail), and digital advertising. These efforts were aimed at boosting Trump's campaign and getting out the vote for him.

In addition to these activities, America PAC ran a controversial cash giveaway that gave out $1 million each day to someone who signed the group's conservative-leaning petition. This move sparked legal battles, with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner suing Musk and America PAC in late October trying to halt the giveaway. However, a judge in the state did not agree to stop the program. The Justice Department also warned the PAC around the same time that the giveaway might be illegal, but it has taken no public action on it.

Other Donations

It's possible that Musk donated more to pro-Trump efforts as political committees continue to file fundraising reports pegged to Thursday night's deadline. He gave $3 million to the MAHA Alliance, a super PAC affiliated with Robert F. Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" push, in late October.

Musk's diverse range of donations shows his commitment and influence in the political sphere. His actions have not only had a direct impact on specific super PACs but also have broader implications for the political landscape.

As the founder of Space X and CEO of Tesla, Musk's involvement in politics has brought him to the forefront. He has been a regular presence at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Florida estate, and by Trump's side during the transition, which has caused consternation among some in Trump's orbit.

Trump selected Musk to advise him on cutting spending across the federal government as a co-chair of his "Department of Government Efficiency" initiative. This further highlights Musk's significant role and influence in the political realm.

Koichi Miyatsu's memory of the "baby hatch" door at the city hospital in southwestern Japan is etched deeply. At the age of 3, this experience became a significant part of his life. Now, as a 21-year-old university student, he has launched a program to teach kids about the importance of life. Miyatsu is one of the few in the country who were anonymously left at the facility as infants or toddlers by parents or relatives unable to raise them.

Education Based on Personal Upbringing

In Kumamoto, Miyatsu provides education to elementary school students and other children based on his own upbringing by foster parents. He emphasizes the need for a place where children can have dreams and hopes without being influenced by their environment, a place where their hearts can be fulfilled. The "University for Kids Kumamoto" program offers two free events a year, featuring talks by specialists on various themes such as "life studies" and a course to nurture a love for one's hometown.At an event in March to commemorate the opening of the "university," actress Misako Konno read from a picture book about parents who lost their children to atomic bombings to stress the importance of everyday life. Miyatsu was placed in the care of Jikei Hospital in Kumamoto in 2007 when it set up the baby hatch. He can still vividly remember the door as if it were a scene from a movie.When the hatch is opened from the outside, a buzzer sounds and a staff member rushes to the nursery to safeguard the child. From the start of its operation through fiscal year 2023, a total of 179 children were placed in the care of the Kumamoto facility. The facility is operated in cooperation with the Child Guidance Center and the police to prevent parents from violating criminal laws and regulations.Miyatsu learned about his biological mother when he was in elementary school. He was left in the care of relatives when she died in an accident at the age of 5 months. When his foster parents took him to visit his biological mother's gravesite, they made a promise to raise him as their own. He felt accepted by them as their real son.Miyatsu is occasionally pitied by others when he talks about his upbringing, but he proudly tells the audience that he is happy because his foster parents took good care of him. During a simulation at the seminar, child participants were instructed on how to cradle baby dolls to give them a "sense of the importance of life." After the event, children expressed their gratitude and a desire to take care of all living things.Yukiko Tajiri, who serves as the principal of the "University for Kids Kumamoto" and was involved in the establishment of the baby hatch, also spoke at the event. She advised Miyatsu to provide opportunities for parents and children to learn about the issue together. Miyatsu then turned to the KinderUni program in Germany, which has spread across Europe and inspired him to start similar activities in Japan.In Japan, children's universities started about 15 years ago and have spread to about a dozen prefectures. As a maternity nurse, Tajiri has continued to support women in trouble during pregnancy. She believes that it is their obligation to tell people about life and how it should be lived from Kumamoto, the birthplace of the baby hatch.Throughout the event, participants were able to experience and understand the significance of the "baby hatch" and its impact on individuals like Koichi Miyatsu. It serves as a reminder of the importance of life and the role that education and support can play in shaping a person's future.