Wisconsin AG Files Lawsuit Against Elon Musk Over Alleged Voter Bribery
In a surprising turn of events as the Wisconsin Supreme Court election approaches, Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul has initiated legal action aimed at preventing Elon Musk, the prominent billionaire and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, from allegedly offering bribes to voters. The lawsuit was filed on Friday, claiming that Musk’s intentions to distribute $1 million checks to voters contravenes state bribery laws.
Allegations of Bribery
The lawsuit asserts that Musk’s recent announcement, made via his platform X, violates Wisconsin law, which prohibits any person from offering incentives to voters to influence their electoral choices. Specifically, the legal complaint cites that Musk’s conditional payment—targeted at voters attending an event who can prove their participation in the upcoming April 3, 2025 Supreme Court election—amounts to a clear violation of Wis. Stat. § 12.11.
- Musk’s event is restricted to those who have signed a petition opposing “activist judges.”
- He plans to reward two attendees with checks totaling $1 million.
Context of the Election
The financial offerings, labeled by critics as bribery, are part of a broader multimillion-dollar campaign by Musk and allied super political action committees (PACs) promoting the candidacy of Brad Schimel. Schimel, a Republican judge from Waukesha County, is in a tightly contested race against Susan Crawford, a judge from Dane County, to fill the seat of retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley.
The Supreme Court holds significant power in shaping key issues, including abortion rights and voter access. Currently, liberal justices maintain a slim 4-3 majority, heightening the stakes of this upcoming election.
Musk’s Motivations
Musk’s involvement in the electoral process has drawn attention, particularly his explicit statement regarding the importance of the election in determining congressional redistricting. He argues that the outcome could significantly influence the political landscape, potentially shifting the congressional majority closer to the Democrats. “In my opinion, that’s the most important thing,” Musk stated during a discussion featuring Schimel and Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) on his platform.
Reactions to Musk’s Actions
Critics of Musk’s cash incentive plan have voiced their concerns about the ethical implications of his actions. Derrick Honeyman, a spokesperson for Crawford’s campaign, referred to the checks as a “last-minute desperate distraction,” emphasizing that residents of Wisconsin do not appreciate a billionaire attempting to dictate their voting decisions. “On Tuesday, voters should reject Musk’s lackey Brad Schimel,” Honeyman stated.
Conclusion
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this lawsuit could have lasting effects on the electoral integrity in Wisconsin. The coming days will be critical as voters prepare to head to the polls amid these controversial developments.
