Billionaire Elon Musk recently stirred up headlines with his controversial decision to give away $1 million checks to voters in Wisconsin. This move comes just before a hotly contested Supreme Court election. Musk’s timing is no accident, as the election could flip control of the court to Republicans—a change that many are watching closely.
Before the giveaway, Wisconsin’s Attorney General, Josh Kaul, attempted to block Musk, claiming that offering such cash could be seen as bribery in exchange for votes. However, the state’s Supreme Court declined to hear the case, allowing Musk to proceed. This legal backdrop adds much intrigue to what is already a fascinating election.
At a rally, Musk expressed his desire for judges to act fairly, echoing sentiments against so-called "activist" judges. He distributed checks to those who signed a petition aimed at curbing what he calls judicial activism. Musk’s lawyers defended the giveaway, arguing it should be protected under freedom of speech rights. They claimed the goal was to inspire grassroots opposition to activist judges, rather than simply backing any specific candidate.
The stakes are high in Wisconsin. The Supreme Court race is more than just about judges; it represents broader political battles. Many view it as a referendum on former President Donald Trump’s influence, just months after he took office. The court will soon hear cases on hot-button issues like abortion rights and voting regulations that could greatly impact the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
Interestingly, Musk has made significant financial contributions to this race—committing $14 million to support Judge Brad Schimel, the Republican candidate. Schimel is competing against Susan Crawford, the Democrat backed by the court’s liberal justices. This has turned the race into the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, with total spending exceeding $81 million.
Public reaction to Musk’s actions has been mixed, with some supporters applauding his willingness to speak out against perceived judicial overreach, while others criticize it as an attempt to buy influence in elections. Social media has been abuzz with both support and backlash, highlighting the divisive nature of such political strategies.
Musk isn’t new to voter giveaways; last year, he offered a $1 million daily prize to voters in various battleground states for signing a petition supporting First and Second Amendment rights. Legal challenges arose then, but ultimately, a court ruled in his favor on the grounds that prosecutors couldn’t prove it was an illegal lottery.
Overall, Musk’s actions in Wisconsin are reshaping the landscape of political campaigning. As we move forward, the outcome of this election could have lasting effects not just on the state, but also on the national political climate.
For more on the implications of this election on future court cases, you can read this report by the Brennan Center for Justice.
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