MADISON, Wis. — Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is making headlines again as he plans to host a rally in Wisconsin, where he intends to give away $2 million to two voters who have already cast their ballots in the state’s crucial Supreme Court election. Musk announced on his social media platform that he would personally present $1 million checks to each of the two lucky voters on Sunday, just two days before the election is held.
This event comes just as Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race has heated up and garnered unprecedented spending, with figures surpassing previous records for judicial elections in the United States. Many see this election as a pivotal moment that will determine the ideological direction of the court.
Musk’s rally is exclusive to those who’ve already voted, though he did not clarify how he plans to verify this. His message emphasized the importance of voting: “I will also personally hand over two checks for a million dollars each in appreciation for you taking the time to vote. This is super important.”
While Musk has not disclosed how the selected voters were chosen, this high-profile payout raises eyebrows about the legality of such actions in Wisconsin, where laws prohibit offering anything of value in return for a vote. Any potential legal challenge regarding Musk’s giveaway would likely land in front of the very court involved in the election.
The Supreme Court race is primarily contested between Brad Schimel, a Waukesha County judge supported by former President Donald Trump, and Susan Crawford, a judge from Dane County backed by a coalition of Democrats. With the recent retirement of a liberal justice, the balance of power on the court is now at stake. President Trump has publicly called this race extremely significant, stating, “It’s not just local. The whole country is watching.”
Comments from Crawford’s campaign described Musk’s rally as a “last-minute desperate distraction” and expressed concern about a billionaire influencing voter decisions. Musk’s political action committee has been actively involved in this election, previously offering monetary incentives to Wisconsin voters who signed petitions aimed at curbing activist judges.
The stakes are high in Wisconsin, a critical battleground state where close elections are the norm. Over $80 million has already been spent on this Supreme Court race, smashing the previous record for spending on a judicial race. The outcome will have lasting implications, as future cases regarding key issues such as voting rules, abortion rights, and congressional redistricting are likely to come before the court.
As Wisconsin approaches its election, all eyes are on how this unprecedented financial involvement will play out in determining the future of its Supreme Court.
