Wisconsin voters are heading to the polls next week to elect members of the state’s Supreme Court. According to the Associated Press, billionaire Elon Musk has invested a staggering $17 million to support the candidate aligned with the Republican Party. This weekend, Musk is making waves by offering $1 million each to two attendees at his rally in Wisconsin on Sunday, ahead of Tuesday’s crucial vote.
On Friday morning, Musk announced his upcoming visit to Wisconsin via Twitter, although he has yet to disclose the specific location.
Musk tweeted, “On Sunday night, I will give a talk in Wisconsin. Entrance is limited to those who have voted in the Supreme Court election. I will also personally hand over two checks for a million dollars each in appreciation for you taking the time to vote. This is super important.”
However, this generous offer has raised eyebrows and sparked controversy, as many social media users pointed out potential violations of Wisconsin state bribery laws. It appears Musk or his legal team quickly reacted to the backlash; he later deleted the initial tweet to “clarify” his intentions.
In a follow-up tweet, Musk stated, “To clarify a previous post, entrance is limited to those who have signed the petition in opposition to activist judges. I will also hand over checks for a million dollars to 2 people to be spokesmen for the petition.” Read his clarification here.
One of Musk’s political action committees recently awarded $1 million to a resident of Green Bay. The Democratic-affiliated Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate, Susan Crawford, criticized Musk’s actions, labeling the payments as “corrupt” and “extreme,” and called them “disgraceful to our state and judiciary.” Musk’s opponent, Brad Schimel, is closely aligned with Trump and the Republican Party.
This is not the first instance of Musk offering significant cash incentives in exchange for votes. During the 2024 presidential election, Musk did something similar in key swing states, where he aimed to rally support for Donald Trump. Initially, he announced a $1 million giveaway in Wisconsin, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan, stating it would be “random.” However, his legal team later clarified that the distributions had a purpose and were conceived as “salaries” for promotional work supporting constitutional rights.
While prosecutors in Philadelphia filed a lawsuit over Musk’s prior scheme, a judge permitted the plan to proceed. The case was ultimately dropped after the election, raising concerns about the implications of such practices in American democracy.
Musk’s actions have sparked a wider discussion about the intersection of wealth and politics, especially after he was assigned to lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) by Trump—a role widely criticized for its impact on federal institutions.
In light of these developments, Wisconsin’s Attorney General Josh Kaul announced plans to seek legal action against Musk’s recent offers in the state.
“The Wisconsin Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that elections in Wisconsin are safe, secure, free, and fair. We are aware of the offer recently posted by Elon Musk to award a million dollars to two people at an event in Wisconsin this weekend,” Kaul stated, according to local news outlet WTMJ. “Based on our understanding of applicable Wisconsin law, we intend to take legal action today to seek a court order to stop this from happening.”
Kaul subsequently filed an injunction in Dane County Circuit Court. Notably, this case was randomly assigned to Susan Crawford, who is reportedly recusing herself from involvement, as confirmed by her spokesperson.
While the timeline for a ruling on the injunction remains uncertain, the implications of Musk’s actions and the upcoming election have significant ramifications. The broader context indicates a concerning trend in U.S. politics, with fears of illegal activities and interference in elections. If unchecked, these kinds of practices could undermine the integrity of democracy.