United States: Billionaire Elon Musk has distributed $1 million (£770,000) cheques to voters in Wisconsin after the state’s Supreme Court refused to block his giveaway. The move comes just days before a pivotal judicial election that could shift control of the court.
Musk announced the prize earlier this week, framing it as part of a broader effort to oppose “activist judges.” Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, had filed a lawsuit to halt the payments, arguing they violated state laws prohibiting gifts in exchange for votes. However, after two lower courts ruled in Musk’s favour, the state Supreme Court declined to take up the case.
Speaking at a rally night, Musk handed out two $1 million cheques to voters who had signed a petition backing his cause. Musk stated that, “We just want judges to be judges.” His lawyers defended the giveaway, claiming it was meant to spark a grassroots movement rather than advocate for any specific candidate.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 31, 2025
The high-stakes judicial race pits conservative Judge Brad Schimel against liberal-backed Judge Susan Crawford, with control of the court hanging in the balance. Musk and President Donald Trump have endorsed Schimel, while Crawford has received support from the court’s liberal justices.
With abortion rights, congressional redistricting, and key election laws on the line, the Wisconsin race has become the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history, with total spending surpassing $81 million. Musk alone has contributed $14 million to Schimel’s campaign.
Despite Musk’s backing, Schimel appeared to distance himself from the billionaire, that he had “no idea” about the rally.
This is not the first time Musk has used giveaways to rally political support. Last year, he offered $1 million daily prizes to voters in Wisconsin and other battleground states who signed a petition on First and Second Amendment rights. A Pennsylvania judge later ruled the initiative was legal, stating prosecutors failed to prove it constituted an unlawful lottery.
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