Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and the world’s wealthiest person, handed out two $1 million checks to Wisconsin voters on Sunday night in an effort to support conservative candidate Brad Schimel in the state’s Supreme Court election. Musk described the move as a publicity tactic, but it has drawn significant legal scrutiny, with Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul calling it a violation of state election laws.
The election, set for Tuesday, holds high stakes and could shape the future political landscape in Wisconsin and beyond. Musk referred to the election as critical to the “destiny of humanity,” stating that the balance of power in Congress could hinge on its outcome. Schimel, a former Wisconsin Attorney General and current Waukesha County judge, is running against Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge endorsed by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
On Friday, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a petition to block Musk’s plan, arguing it was illegal under state law to offer financial incentives to voters. Wisconsin law prohibits offering anything of value to persuade voters to go to the polls or vote for a specific candidate. Despite the legal challenge, the state’s liberal-leaning Supreme Court unanimously denied Kaul’s motion, allowing Musk to proceed.
During the event at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Musk handed checks to two voters, Nicholas Jacobs and Ekaterina Diestler, while mocking traditional media outlets. “The reason for the checks is really to get attention,” Musk said during the event, which was broadcasted on his social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter. He added that the publicity cost was significantly lower than traditional advertising.
Musk emphasized the importance of the election, stating that if Schimel is not elected, it could pave the way for redistricting efforts that may favor Democrats. He argued that this could jeopardize Republican control in Congress and undermine his initiatives, such as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he claims has saved billions by cutting wasteful spending. However, many of DOGE’s actions have faced legal challenges.
“If the Supreme Court redraws the districts, they could gerrymander House seats and shift power to Democrats,” Musk claimed. “This election doesn’t just impact Wisconsin; it could significantly influence the entire United States and even the world.”
Although Musk’s concerns about redistricting have sparked debate, Wisconsin’s Supreme Court does not directly create legislative maps. Instead, the state legislature determines district boundaries, and the court gets involved only if those maps are legally contested. In 2023, the court ruled against Republican-drawn maps, leading to new maps signed into law by Democratic Governor Tony Evers.
Critics have questioned Musk’s involvement in the election, with opponents calling his actions an attempt to manipulate the democratic process. While Musk framed his contributions as a way to highlight the significance of the election, others see it as a blatant use of wealth to sway voters.
Attorney General Kaul described Musk’s actions as a “clear violation” of election laws, stating, “Offering voters money threatens the integrity of our elections and undermines public trust.”
Despite these criticisms, Musk defended his actions, saying, “This election is vital for Wisconsin, the country, and maybe even humanity.”
This election determines who will replace retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, a Democrat whose seat is crucial to the ideological balance of Wisconsin’s high court. If elected, Schimel would serve a 10-year term, potentially influencing future court decisions on issues like redistricting and government policy. Republicans currently have narrow majorities in both the state House and Senate, making the court’s position on legislative disputes all the more significant.
As Wisconsin voters head to the polls on Tuesday, Musk’s controversial involvement has brought national attention to the race. The outcome could shape the state’s judiciary and influence the broader political landscape for years to come.
This high-profile election serves as a reminder of the growing intersection between wealth, technology, and politics in modern democracies. For more updates on this story and ongoing election coverage, stay tuned.
