Wisconsin Lawsuit Accuses Elon Musk of Using Million-Dollar Giveaways as Voter Bribes

A watchdog group in Wisconsin has taken legal action against Elon Musk. They accuse him of illegally influencing voters in the recent state Supreme Court election. The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a nonpartisan organization focused on election security, filed the lawsuit alongside two voters. They claim Musk, along with his super PAC America PAC and another entity called the United States of America Inc., broke state laws against vote bribery and unauthorized lotteries.

According to the lawsuit, Musk’s actions undermined public trust in the electoral system. The complaint states that he distributed $100 to voters who signed a petition against “activist judges” and gave away million-dollar checks to those who supported candidate Brad Schimel. At a town hall event, Musk handed out these checks, claiming it was to thank voters for participating.

Despite Musk’s significant financial backing—over $12 million for Schimel—candidate Susan Crawford won the election. This sparked an earlier lawsuit from Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, but a judge chose not to hold an immediate hearing on it. Similar challenges have arisen in Pennsylvania regarding Musk’s giveaways during elections, raising questions about their legality.

Musk defended his actions, asserting that his approach was not a lottery since those who signed the petition were not receiving money as a prize. He described it as an “opportunity to earn” as opposed to a chance to win—although this stance has not fully quieted the controversy.

The co-founder of Law Forward, Jeff Mandell, who is handling the lawsuit, expressed confidence that the court would address the matter fairly. He hopes the lawsuit will prevent Musk from repeating such actions in future elections. Mandell believes that public sentiment is firmly against the tactics used, emphasizing that respect for democratic processes is crucial.

Recent surveys highlight growing concerns about election integrity. According to a 2023 poll by the Brennan Center for Justice, about 60% of Americans worry that unscrupulous tactics could undermine elections. This case against Musk could serve as a landmark decision in reinforcing fair election practices.

Public reactions have also noted the rising trend of large-scale giveaways in politics, spurring debate on their appropriateness. With elections continually evolving, this lawsuit might play a key role in shaping future electoral conduct.

It’s clear that maintaining the integrity of our democratic processes is essential for public trust. As more citizens engage with the political system, understanding legal boundaries and ethical practices will become even more vital.



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