MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin judge made headlines on Saturday by declining to intervene in a controversial political move by billionaire Elon Musk. The ruling permits Musk to proceed with his plan to distribute $1 million checks to two Wisconsin voters during an upcoming rally, just days before the critical Supreme Court election. This decision comes amidst a backdrop of legal challenges, as the state attorney general argues that Musk's financial offer breaches state law.
The Wisconsin Attorney General, Josh Kaul, swiftly filed an appeal following the judge's refusal to grant an emergency injunction aimed at halting the payments. Kaul, a Democrat, contends that this financial exchange contravenes a state statute that prohibits offering anything of value to voters in return for their votes. His lawsuit was filed after Musk's political action committee, America PAC, announced the giveaway.
This ruling represents another significant moment in Musk’s extensive involvement in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, which has set new records for spending in a judicial election. The contest has emerged as a critical indicator of the prevailing political climate in the early months of Donald Trump's presidency. Musk and Trump are advocating for Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, while the Democratic camp is rallying behind Dane County Judge Susan Crawford.
Musk is scheduled to host a rally on Sunday, where he plans to award $1 million each to two voters who sign an online petition opposing “activist” judges. Furthermore, he is incentivizing participation by offering $100 to anyone who signs the petition. Notably, Musk previously donated $1 million to a Green Bay resident who also participated in this initiative.
To date, Musk and the organizations he funds have contributed over $20 million to the Supreme Court race, while Democratic heavyweights, including George Soros, support Judge Crawford. The outcome of this election will be pivotal in determining the ideological balance of the court—currently held by a liberal majority of 4-3. With a retirement this year, the majority is now at risk as the election is set to conclude on Tuesday.
This isn't Musk's first foray into controversial political tactics. Prior to the last presidential election, his PAC utilized a similar strategy, offering voters in Wisconsin and six other battleground states $1 million daily for signing a petition endorsing the First and Second Amendments. A judge in Pennsylvania ruled that prosecutors did not provide sufficient evidence to categorize this initiative as an illegal lottery, allowing the offer to persist until Election Day.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is particularly significant as the court is expected to rule on critical issues, including abortion rights, congressional redistricting, union power, and voting regulations. These decisions could have far-reaching consequences for the 2026 midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race.
Musk initially announced on his social media platform, X, that he intended to "personally hand over" $2 million to two voters who had already cast their ballots in the election. In light of the ongoing legal disputes, Attorney General Kaul is pushing for the court to compel Musk to cease his promotional efforts related to the Sunday giveaway and to stop any future payments to voters in Wisconsin. Despite Musk's initial post being deleted, Kaul maintains that there has been no official statement indicating the payments would not proceed, adding to the tension surrounding this high-stakes political drama.
