Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has taken legal action against Elon Musk, accusing the billionaire of attempting to influence the state’s Supreme Court race through direct cash payments to voters.
The lawsuit, filed Friday, seeks to block Musk from distributing $2 million ahead of the election.
“This isn’t just about one election,” Kaul stated. “It’s about protecting the integrity of our entire democratic process.”
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race has turned into a national battleground, with political parties and billionaire donors pouring money into the fight.
The outcome will shape key policies, including abortion rights, legislative redistricting, and election laws.
With so much at stake, every vote matters—and Musk’s cash offer has ignited a firestorm of controversy.
Elon Musk made waves when he posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he would personally hand over $1 million each to two voters who had already cast their ballots. The announcement sparked immediate backlash, with critics accusing him of trying to buy votes.
Shortly after, Musk deleted the post and issued a clarification: The money would instead go to two “spokesmen” for a petition opposing activist judges. But the damage was done.
Adding to the controversy, Musk’s political action committee (PAC) had already offered Wisconsin voters $100 to sign the petition—plus another $100 for each referral.
Attorney General Kaul wasted no time responding. He called Musk’s offer an “egregious attempt to buy votes” and accused him of violating Wisconsin election laws.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has now asked the court to immediately block Musk’s planned giveaways.
“Elections in Wisconsin are not for sale,” Kaul asserted. “We will fight to ensure they remain free, fair, and secure.”
Musk’s involvement in the Wisconsin race is anything but neutral. His financial backing has overwhelmingly supported Republican candidate Brad Schimel.
- Musk-backed groups, including America PAC and Building America’s Future, have funneled nearly $20 million into Schimel’s campaign.
- On the other side, Democratic candidate Susan Crawford has received millions from progressive donors, including George Soros and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
- With over $81 million raised in total, this election has smashed fundraising records.
Many see this Supreme Court race as a test of former President Donald Trump’s political power. Both he and Musk have thrown their weight behind Schimel, making the election a proxy war between conservative and liberal forces.
“The stakes couldn’t be higher,” said political analyst Julia Reynolds. “Wisconsin’s Supreme Court will have the final say on some of the most contentious legal battles in the state for years to come.”
This isn’t the first time Musk has drawn legal scrutiny over election-related giveaways.
- During the 2024 presidential campaign, he promised to give away $1 million daily to registered voters in key swing states.
- His actions triggered a warning from the U.S. Department of Justice, which cautioned against any attempts to influence elections through financial incentives.
Now, Wisconsin officials are making it clear: Musk’s money won’t be allowed to dictate election results.
The courts will decide whether Musk can proceed with his payments. Meanwhile, voters will head to the polls on April 1, with the future of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court—and potentially, national policies—hanging in the balance.
The lawsuit against Musk underscores a growing concern in U.S. politics: Can democracy survive the influence of billionaires, or has money become the ultimate vote-winner?