Elon Musk's $1 million payout to Wisconsin voter sparks controversy ahead of Supreme Court election
Elon Musk fuels Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race, backing Schimel as Tesla fights a state ban. With Trump’s support, the stakes and spendinghit record highs.
Elon Musk has awarded $1 million to a Wisconsin voter just days before the state’s Supreme Court election, a race drawing significant national attention and funding. The election could shift the court’s balance from a 4-3 liberal majority to a conservative one, potentially influencing key rulings.
Elon Musk's $1M payment sparks controversy in Wisconsin Supreme Court race amid Tesla lawsuit
Musk’s payment, announced on his social media platform, has been criticized by Democratic-backed candidate Susan Crawford’s campaign as an illegal attempt to sway the court, especially given Tesla's pending lawsuit in Wisconsin. No legal action has been taken against the payments, which resemble tactics Musk used in the last presidential election.
Critics argue these payments undermine judicial impartiality, while Musk’s America First PAC has heavily funded Republican-backed candidate Brad Schimel. More than $81 million has been spent on this race, breaking previous U.S. judicial election spending records.
Tesla lawsuit and Musk’s support shake up Wisconsin Supreme Court race before key election
Tesla is suing Wisconsin to overturn a law preventing it from opening dealerships in the state. This legal challenge has major implications for the Supreme Court race, with Musk and his political committees backing Schimel.
Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Brad Schimel, a former Republican attorney general, for the Wisconsin Supreme Court ahead of the April 1 election. With Musk’s support, Schimel aims to secure conservative control of the court, currently dominated by liberal justices.