Musk Hands Out $1M Checks Before Wisconsin Supreme Court Election

The Wisconsin Supreme Court election race heats up as Elon Musk gives away $1 million checks to voters, prompting legal tension from the state Attorney General over potential election law violations amidst an intense political battle for control of the court.

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has stirred controversy by distributing $1 million (£770,000) cheques to Wisconsin voters right before the state's impending Supreme Court election. The prize announcement, made earlier this week, occurs in a politically charged atmosphere with the election set for Tuesday, which could change the court's balance of power.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, filed legal action aiming to halt Musk's initiative, arguing that the giveaway contravenes state laws that prohibit gifts intended to influence votes. This election is being labeled as a pivotal moment since it has significant implications for the Republican and Democratic control over the court, marking it as the costliest judicial election in U.S. history.

While addressing a rally on Sunday evening, Musk emphasized his goal of restoring impartiality in the judiciary by handing out $2 million (£750,000) checks to voters who supported a petition against what he referred to as "activist" judges. Kaul contended that the giveaway was a thinly veiled attempt to buy votes, but Musk’s legal team argued that the initiative was a lawful expression of political speech and fell squarely within his First Amendment rights.

After lower courts ruled in favor of Musk, Kaul's plea to the Supreme Court for intervention was unanimously declined. Musk and former President Donald Trump have publicly backed conservative candidate Brad Schimel from Waukesha County, as they aim to shift the court's ideological lean towards Republican views. Schimel is competing against Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, who has support from current liberal justices.

Legal representatives for Musk have also called for the disqualification of judges endorsing Crawford, citing potential bias in ruling on the giveaway's legality. The upcoming Supreme Court race is viewed as a significant indication of Trump's political climate, especially following his recent inauguration, and precedes important judicial decisions on abortion rights, voting regulations, and district redistricting that may influence the 2026 midterms.

Musk, having contributed $14 million to Schimel's campaign, reinforces the notion of this election as a battleground issue, with a staggering total of $81 million being spent on the race. However, despite Musk's backing, Schimel appeared to distance himself from him recently, stating he was disassociated from the rally organized by Musk.

This is not an isolated incident for Musk, who previously offered a cash reward of $1 million per day to voters in Wisconsin and other swing states last year, defending First and Second Amendment rights. A subsequent ruling in Pennsylvania deemed this earlier giveaway legal, dismissing allegations of illegal lottery practices.