Priyanka Tiwari
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Elon Musk awarded $1 million checks to two Wisconsin voters at a rally in Green Bay on Sunday, positioning them as representatives of his political organization. The tech entrepreneur emphasized the state Supreme Court election as crucial to former President Donald Trump's policies and what he described as "the future of civilization." Wearing a foam cheesehead, Musk highlighted the stakes, particularly around possible redistricting that could impact Republican control in the U.S. House.
Legal Objections and Court Rulings
Wisconsin's Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul challenged the legality of Musk’s monetary gifts, citing state law that prohibits offering anything of value to influence voting. Two lower courts rejected the case, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to hear the challenge just before Musk’s rally, offering no explanation.
Despite the liberal 4-3 majority in the court, Kaul's objections failed to stop the disbursement. Musk’s legal team defended the move as protected political speech, arguing the donations were intended to support a grassroots campaign against “activist judges,” not promote any candidate directly.
Calls for Recusal and Partisan Alignments
Just before the rally, Musk’s attorneys requested that Justices Jill Karofsky and Rebecca Dallet recuse themselves from the case due to their support for Susan Crawford, the Democratic-endorsed judicial candidate. Both justices declined and said they would later explain their decision. Meanwhile, conservative Justice Brad Schimel, endorsed by Trump and Musk, has openly pledged to oppose activist judges.
Record Spending and High Stakes
This judicial race has surpassed $81 million in total spending, setting a national record. Musk and allied organizations have invested over $20 million to support Schimel’s candidacy. The outcome of the election could shape key state rulings on abortion, union powers, congressional maps, and voting laws, with implications for both the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential election.
Repeated Tactics and Broader Political Influence
Musk’s strategy mirrors efforts from the previous presidential election cycle, where his PAC offered $1 million per day to petition signers across battleground states in support of the First and Second Amendments. A Pennsylvania court had ruled that effort was legal, declining to classify it as an unlawful lottery.
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