Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has made headlines by giving away $1 million cheques to voters in Wisconsin, as the state prepares for a highly anticipated Supreme Court election. This move comes after the Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to intervene in the controversial giveaway, which has raised questions about its legality and implications for the electoral process.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court election, scheduled for Tuesday, has garnered significant attention due to its potential to shift the court's balance of power. With current Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul filing a lawsuit to halt Musk's giveaway, he argued that such actions may contravene state laws that prohibit gifts in exchange for votes. This election has become the most expensive judicial race in American history, with spending exceeding $81 million.
During a rally on Sunday night, Musk explained his intentions, stating, "We just want judges to be judges." He proceeded to distribute two $1 million cheques to voters who signed a petition aimed at preventing what he referred to as "activist judges." Musk's legal team contended that the giveaway was a form of political speech, asserting that it was not designed to influence specific candidates but rather to foster a grassroots movement against perceived judicial activism.
Initially, Musk's campaign faced legal challenges, with two lower courts ruling in his favor. However, Kaul sought an emergency intervention from the state's supreme court, which ultimately declined to hear the case unanimously. This decision solidified Musk's position and allowed the giveaway to proceed without legal hindrance.
The stakes of this election are particularly high, given that it could potentially flip control of the court to the Republicans. Musk and former President Donald Trump have endorsed Brad Schimel, a conservative candidate and Waukesha County Judge, who is running against Susan Crawford, a Dane County Judge backed by the court's liberal justices. This election is viewed as a referendum on Trump's influence, especially in light of upcoming cases related to abortion rights, congressional redistricting, and voting regulations that could impact the 2026 midterm elections.
In addition to the giveaway, Musk has personally donated $14 million to Schimel's campaign, further emphasizing the significant financial stakes involved in this judicial race. Despite Musk's backing, Schimel appeared to distance himself from the billionaire in recent days. In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, he stated, "I have no idea what he's doing. I have no idea what this rally is."
This is not the first time Musk has initiated a giveaway aimed at voters. Last year, he proposed a similar $1 million cash prize to voters across Wisconsin and six other battleground states, contingent upon signing a petition supporting First and Second Amendment rights. A subsequent ruling in Pennsylvania deemed that giveaway legal, as prosecutors could not demonstrate that it constituted an unlawful lottery.
As the Wisconsin Supreme Court election approaches, the implications of Musk's actions and the overall political landscape continue to unfold, making it a pivotal moment in the state's judicial history.
