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Elon Musk’s $1 Million Cheque Giveaway Raises Concerns Over Election Interference in Wisconsin
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has launched a controversial initiative, distributing $1 million cheques to voters in Wisconsin amid a densely competitive Supreme Court election. This move comes after the state’s Supreme Court declined to intervene in the giveaway, despite objections from Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul.
Musk’s announcement occurred earlier this week, setting the stage for a highly anticipated election scheduled for Tuesday. The stakes are high, as this election could potentially shift control of the state Supreme Court towards Republicans, marking it as one of the most expensive judicial elections in the history of the United States.
Kaul, representing the Democratic Party, filed a lawsuit attempting to halt Musk’s giveaway, arguing that it violated local laws prohibiting gifts in exchange for votes. The dispute emphasizes the contentious nature of the upcoming race, which has sparked widespread debate and concern over electoral integrity.
At a rally on Sunday, Musk addressed supporters, stating, “we just want judges to be judges,” while distributing two of the $1 million cheques to individuals who had petitioned against what they termed “activist” judges. This rhetoric positions the giveaway within a larger narrative of judicial accountability and reform.
The attorney general’s office has maintained that Musk’s actions amount to an illegal attempt to influence voter behavior. In response, Musk’s legal team contended that Kaul’s efforts represent a suppression of Musk’s free speech rights, arguing that the cheques were intended to stimulate a grassroots movement rather than to directly support or oppose any particular candidate.
After lower court rulings favored Musk, Kaul sought an emergency intervention from the state Supreme Court, which ultimately decided not to take up the case, leaving the giveaway untouched.
Musk, along with former President Donald Trump, has endorsed Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, hoping to reclaim a conservative majority on the court. Schimel’s opponent, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, has garnered the support of the court’s liberal justices, making the race particularly pivotal as it reflects broader political currents.
Musk’s legal team has also challenged the impartiality of judges who have endorsed Crawford, suggesting that their affiliations may introduce bias in adjudicating the current case.
This Supreme Court election is being interpreted as a barometer for Trump’s influence and policies following his second inauguration, notably against the backdrop of critical issues like abortion rights, congressional redistricting, and voting rules that could significantly impact the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
Musk has positioned this election as crucial for thwarting potential redistricting efforts that may benefit Democrats in Congress. His commitment to the campaign includes a substantial $14 million donation to Schimel, contributing to a staggering total expenditure of $81 million for this judicial contest.
Despite Musk’s enthusiastic backing, Judge Schimel has recently distanced himself from the tech mogul, expressing uncertainty about Musk’s rally plans and stating that he was unaware of the event’s implications. “I have no idea what he’s doing. I have no idea what this rally is,” Schimel remarked to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
This is not the first instance where Musk has engaged in a political giveaway. In the previous year, he offered a $1 million daily prize to voters in Wisconsin and six other key states, contingent on their support for First and Second Amendment rights. A Pennsylvania judge later ruled this initiative legal, rejecting claims of it being an unlawful lottery.
Source
www.bbc.com