The Wisconsin Supreme Court has rejected Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul’s attempt to stop Elon Musk from giving out $1 million checks to voters ahead of Tuesday’s election.
Kaul had filed an emergency request to halt Musk’s plans, but the court, with a mix of conservative and liberal justices, denied the request on Sunday evening. Musk was set to host an America PAC town hall in Green Bay on Sunday when the legal challenge was filed. At the event, Musk handed out $1 million checks to two voters who had signed a petition against “activist judges.”
Holding up a giant check, Musk explained the purpose behind the giveaway: “The reason for these checks is to get attention. We need attention, and when I do something like this, the media tends to lose their minds,” he said.
Musk, a supporter of Republican Brad Schimel, who’s running for the state’s Supreme Court, is backing Schimel’s campaign ahead of a crucial election that will decide the court’s balance of power.
Kaul, in his request to the court, argued that Musk’s giveaway violates Wisconsin election laws. He claimed that offering voters $1 million to cast their ballots is a direct violation of state statutes that prohibit providing anything of value in exchange for voting.
Musk’s legal team, however, defended the payments as part of an effort to build a grassroots movement opposing what they see as activist judges, rather than promoting any specific candidate.
Schimel, appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” denied any involvement in the outside spending, stating that he has no control over financial support from groups like Musk’s or other donors. He promised that his campaign would operate independently of any outside influence.
The event in Green Bay was exclusive to those who had signed the petition against activist judges. Musk also announced that he would award $1 million checks to two individuals who acted as petition ambassadors.
In the high-stakes election, the outcome of the race for Wisconsin’s Supreme Court is pivotal, as the winner could determine the state’s political future. Should liberal candidate Susan Crawford win, the court’s 4-3 liberal majority would remain intact, which could have significant implications for redistricting and future elections.
Musk, along with voter registration activist Scott Presler, has been actively encouraging conservative turnout, particularly as the U.S. House majority remains at risk in the coming elections. America PAC, which was initially formed to support Donald Trump’s 2024 bid, is investing heavily in Wisconsin’s court race, funneling funds into Schimel’s campaign and voter outreach efforts.
The election could be a critical moment in the ongoing tug-of-war for control of the state’s highest court, with implications for both state and national politics.
