Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of SpaceX and Tesla, has made headlines once again by distributing cheques worth $1 million (£770,000) to voters in Wisconsin just days before the state’s Supreme Court election. This unprecedented move comes after the state Supreme Court declined to intervene in the controversial giveaway, which Musk announced earlier this week.
The election, scheduled for Tuesday, is tightly contested and could potentially shift control of the court from liberal to conservative, making it one of the most expensive judicial elections in American history. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, filed a lawsuit against Musk, accusing him of violating state laws that prohibit gifts in exchange for votes.
At a rally on Sunday night, Musk vocally criticized "activist" judges while distributing two $1 million cheques to supporters who had signed a petition aimed at halting what he described as judicial overreach. Responding to Kaul's legal actions, Musk's legal team claimed that the attorney general was infringing upon Musk's right to free political speech, invoking the First Amendment as a defense for the cheque distribution.
Musk’s lawyers further asserted that the motivation behind the giveaway was to spur a grassroots movement against activist judges rather than to influence vote outcomes for specific candidates. After lower courts ruled in favor of Musk, Kaul made a last-minute request to the Supreme Court for intervention, which was firmly denied.
Musk has thrown his support behind conservative candidate Brad Schimel, hoping to flip the traditionally liberal court. Schimel, a Waukesha County judge, faces off against liberal candidate Susan Crawford, endorsed by the state’s current liberal justices. Both sides are keenly aware that this election may act as a barometer for Trump's second term ambitions, especially in light of critical pending cases regarding reproductive rights, redistricting, and voting laws that are vital to the 2026 midterm elections.
Musk has significantly invested in Schimel's campaign, contributing $14 million as part of a wider financial storm surrounding the election, which has already reached a staggering $81 million in total spending. However, Schimel has appeared to distance himself from Musk recently, stating publicly that he is unaware of the details surrounding Musk’s rally.
This is not Musk's first foray into offering financial incentives to voters; last year, he offered similar prizes in battleground states, reinforcing his outspoken persona in the realm of American politics.
The election, scheduled for Tuesday, is tightly contested and could potentially shift control of the court from liberal to conservative, making it one of the most expensive judicial elections in American history. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, filed a lawsuit against Musk, accusing him of violating state laws that prohibit gifts in exchange for votes.
At a rally on Sunday night, Musk vocally criticized "activist" judges while distributing two $1 million cheques to supporters who had signed a petition aimed at halting what he described as judicial overreach. Responding to Kaul's legal actions, Musk's legal team claimed that the attorney general was infringing upon Musk's right to free political speech, invoking the First Amendment as a defense for the cheque distribution.
Musk’s lawyers further asserted that the motivation behind the giveaway was to spur a grassroots movement against activist judges rather than to influence vote outcomes for specific candidates. After lower courts ruled in favor of Musk, Kaul made a last-minute request to the Supreme Court for intervention, which was firmly denied.
Musk has thrown his support behind conservative candidate Brad Schimel, hoping to flip the traditionally liberal court. Schimel, a Waukesha County judge, faces off against liberal candidate Susan Crawford, endorsed by the state’s current liberal justices. Both sides are keenly aware that this election may act as a barometer for Trump's second term ambitions, especially in light of critical pending cases regarding reproductive rights, redistricting, and voting laws that are vital to the 2026 midterm elections.
Musk has significantly invested in Schimel's campaign, contributing $14 million as part of a wider financial storm surrounding the election, which has already reached a staggering $81 million in total spending. However, Schimel has appeared to distance himself from Musk recently, stating publicly that he is unaware of the details surrounding Musk’s rally.
This is not Musk's first foray into offering financial incentives to voters; last year, he offered similar prizes in battleground states, reinforcing his outspoken persona in the realm of American politics.
