Republicans are losing ground in states they normally win easily, and Elon Musk is pouring record money into saving their Senate majority — bad news for the party, and a warning sign about who is buying influence.

• A Kansas Senate seat Democrats haven't won in 84 years is suddenly competitive, with most voters there disapproving of Trump.
• Lifelong Republican voters, including farmers squeezed by high diesel and fertilizer costs, are backing Democrats over tariffs and the war with Iran.
• Musk has become the biggest known donor of the cycle, giving hundreds of millions to Senate Republicans and a turnout super PAC.
• The payoff motive is hard to miss: SpaceX has pulled in billions in Pentagon and NASA contracts, and Musk's companies lean on federal subsidies.
• Cuts to Medicaid and food stamps are landing right before the election, with millions already losing benefits and more pain scheduled.

Outlook: Republican candidates will keep trying to put distance between themselves and Trump, but money alone is unlikely to undo voter anger over prices and lost benefits.