Elon Musk’s upcoming visit to Wisconsin has sparked controversy ahead of the state’s Supreme Court election. Musk had initially planned to host an event and offer a $1 million giveaway to attendees who had voted, but legal concerns led to the post being deleted. Musk clarified that the giveaways would be limited to people who signed his super PAC’s petition, sparking further backlash.
The visit signifies Musk’s increased involvement in Wisconsin politics, where the Supreme Court election between Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford will determine control of the state’s highest court. Musk’s America PAC has already spent over $12 million on the race, with Musk personally donating $3 million to the Wisconsin Republican Party.
In a post on Friday afternoon, Musk announced that the event would be held on Sunday night and reserved for those who had signed America PAC’s petition. He pledged to hand out two $1 million checks at the event, causing further concern about potential legal implications.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul stated that his office would seek a court order to prevent Musk from carrying out the giveaway, citing concerns about violating the state’s election bribery law. Legal experts have raised questions about offering incentives for voting, especially as early voting is currently underway in Wisconsin.
This tactic is not unfamiliar to Musk, as America PAC previously made signees of a petition eligible for a $1 million giveaway during the 2024 election. The group has also offered voters $100 to sign a petition opposing activist judges, with one Green Bay resident already receiving a $1 million check for signing on.
Musk’s growing influence in Republican politics has raised concerns among Democrats, who view the Wisconsin election as a referendum on his political involvement. The race has already become the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, with both Democrats and Republicans investing heavily in their respective candidates.
As Musk continues to make waves in Wisconsin politics, the upcoming Supreme Court election will serve as a battleground for competing ideologies and the impact of big-money donors. The controversy surrounding Musk’s visit and the giveaways only adds to the drama surrounding this high-profile race.
