A Wisconsin court has rejected an effort by the state’s Democratic attorney general to block Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s $1-million cash giveaway to two voters at a rally planned for Sunday.
Newsweek contacted Tesla and the Wisconsin Department of Justice for comment by email on Sunday morning.
Why It Matters
The decision of the appellate court comes only a couple of days ahead of a momentous election for a crucial seat in the Wisconsin Supreme Court that has become something of a test for President Donald Trump since his return to the White House.
What To Know
Liberals currently hold a 4-3 majority in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, but the retirement of one of its judges this year could shake up the current balance at a crucial time for the state, which is expected to vote on abortion rights, congressional redistricting, union power, and voting rules this year.
Trump and Musk are backing Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel in the race, while Democrats have thrown their support behind Dane County Judge Susan Crawford in the judicial race that has already reached record spending levels.
Two political groups backed by Musk have already spent more than $20 million to support Schimel, while Democratic donors including George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker have given millions to support Crawford’s campaign.
The world’s richest man, now a “special government employee” within the Trump administration, has been using his enormous wealth to back the president since he endorsed him in the 2024 presidential race.
Previous initiatives offering cash in exchange for voters’ engagement launched by Musk last year were met with outrage and opposition by critics saying they were potentially illegal and posed a possible conflict of interest.
But despite controversies, Musk has recently doubled down on this strategy, offering $100 to each Wisconsin registered voter signing his PAC’s petition against “activist judges” and $1 million each to two voters among these.
Elon Musk steps off Air Force One upon arrival at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, on March 22, 2025.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
Musk is planning to personally hand over the $1 million checks at a rally on Sunday which will be attended only by those who signed his petition.
“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,” the Tesla CEO wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday in a post that was later deleted.
He then added in another post that the checks would be given to “2 people to be spokesmen” for the petition he organized “rejecting the auctions of activist judges who impose their own views.”
On Sunday night, I will give a talk in Wisconsin.
To clarify a previous post, entrance is limited to those who have signed the petition in opposition to activist judges.
I will also hand over checks for a million dollars to 2 people to be spokesmen for the petition.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 28, 2025
Musk has already reportedly given $1 million to a Green Bay voter in Wisconsin who signed the petition.
Exciting to announce our first million dollar award for supporting our petition against activist judges in Wisconsin!
Next million dollar award will be announced in 2 days. https://t.co/gusHPfrtec
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 27, 2025
Wisconsin Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit on Friday trying to block Musk’s payments on the basis that his offer is against a state law which makes it a felony to give voters anything of value in exchange for them voting.
His request was first shut down by Columbia County Circuit Judge Andrew Voigt and then by an appellate court on Saturday, effectively giving Musk the go-ahead.
Kaul asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Sunday to stop Musk from handing over the two $1-million checks during the rally planned for the same day.
While the post where Musk said he would hand over the $1 million checks to two Wisconsin voters has been removed, Kaul argued that the billionaire did not indicate that no payments will be made on Sunday.
What People Are Saying
Elon Musk wrote on X on Saturday: “A Supreme Court election in Wisconsin might determine the fate of America.”
President Donald Trump said during a town hall for Brad Schimel on Thursday night:“It’s a very important race. I know you feel it’s local, but it’s not. It’s really much more than local. The whole country is watching.”
Donald Trump Jr. wrote on X: “Wisconsin, pay attention and vote this weekend.”
Schimel commented on the cash giveaways saying he does not control Musk, adding: “Everything Elon Musk talks about is restoring law and order to Wisconsin, restoring objectivity to our courts. He doesn’t want anything from me except that I will follow the law and stop the Supreme Court from making the law from the bench. That’s all he wants.”
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders wrote on X: “This is oligarchy at work: Musk is going to Wisconsin to give million dollar checks to supporters of the anti-choice candidate for the state Supreme Court. We cannot allow a billionaire to buy this election. Let’s get out and vote. Elect Susan Crawford.”
Susan Crawford spokesperson Derrick Honeyman said in a statement to Fox 11 News: “It’s corrupt, it’s extreme, and it’s disgraceful to our state and judiciary.”
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler said in a statement shared by The Associated Press: “Let’s be very clear: Elon Musk committed a crime the moment he offered million-dollar checks ‘in appreciation for’ voting, and deleting evidence of that crime changes nothing. Under Wisconsin law, merely the offer of something of value—in this case, the chance to receive 1 million dollars—is plainly illegal.”
What’s Next
Wisconsin voters will cast their vote in the state Supreme Court election on Tuesday.
Whatever the result, the election has shown how attention has grown around state-level judicial races, which are increasingly attracting megadonors, controversies and political attacks.
Michael S. Kang, professor of law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, wrote that the ability of the wealthy to “spend money to elect and reflect judges who decide cases the way they want” should “disturb anyone who believes that money shouldn’t dictate outcomes in a fair and impartial judicial system.”
Musk has recently sued Wisconsin to overturn a state law that prevents it from opening Tesla dealerships there.
