Elon Musk, billionaire CEO of Tesla and top adviser to President Donald Trump, handed out $1 million in oversized checks to two Wisconsin voters during a rally in Green Bay on Sunday. The move aims to energize conservative turnout ahead of the April 1 state Supreme Court election, which is already the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history.
Musk, warning that conservative candidate Brad Schimel is trailing liberal Susan Crawford, also pledged $20 to supporters for each voter they recruit in the final campaign push. The court’s future rulings could impact critical issues such as abortion rights, labor laws, and redistricting—potentially affecting Republican control in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Calling the race "important for the future of civilization," Musk emphasized the stakes, portraying the contest as an early referendum on Trump in a battleground state. Despite being technically nonpartisan, the race has drawn national attention due to its political implications.
So far, groups aligned with Musk have poured over $17.5 million into the race—accounting for more than 20% of the total $81 million spent, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. His financial backing mirrors tactics used during the 2024 presidential election, where Musk rewarded petition signers supporting conservative initiatives.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul sued to block Musk’s cash giveaway, but the state Supreme Court allowed it to proceed, according to the Washington Post. Musk, who spent over $250 million supporting Trump’s reelection, continues to expand his political influence by targeting down-ballot races. He currently leads Trump’s initiative to dramatically reduce the size of the federal government, which has already led to agency closures and mass layoffs.
Musk’s latest actions underscore his growing role in shaping U.S. political and judicial outcomes.