‘Blatantly Unlawful’: Elon Musk Buying Voters in State Supreme Court Election with $1 Million Offers, Attorney General Says- Asks Top Court to Stop Him

Wisconsin’s Attorney General, Josh Kaul, is urging the state’s Supreme Court to intervene and block a controversial offer from billionaire Elon Musk.

Elon Musk’s Controversial $1 Million Offer

Musk, an ally of former President Donald Trump, announced he would hand out two $1 million checks to individuals who sign a petition against “activist judges” and vote in Wisconsin’s upcoming Supreme Court race on Tuesday. Musk made this offer through X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, sparking concerns over its legality and the potential for election interference. On Sunday, Kaul appealed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court after a Wisconsin appellate court denied his request to stop Musk’s offer. This comes after a similar petition was rejected by Columbia County Circuit Court Judge W. Andrew Voigt on Saturday. Musk’s offer has already faced backlash, with Kaul arguing that it could unduly influence the election process by providing financial incentives to voters.

Kaul’s Legal Challenge to Musk’s Offer

Kaul filed a lawsuit last week, arguing that Musk’s offer violated Wisconsin state law, which prohibits offering anything of value to induce someone to vote. Kaul’s legal team contends that Musk’s actions could erode public confidence in the integrity of the election, especially given the close nature of the race. According to Kaul, the offer of $1 million to two voters is a clear violation of state law, which forbids such financial inducements. “Musk’s offer to pay $1 million to two Wisconsin electors, specifically conditioned on their having voted in the upcoming election, is a violation of Wis. Stat. § 12.11,” Kaul stated in his petition to the Supreme Court. He argues that the offer is not only unlawful but also could be seen as a direct attempt to influence the election by providing financial rewards to certain voters.

Musk’s Clarification and Response

In response to the backlash, Musk deleted his original post offering the $1 million payments. He later clarified that the payments were intended for individuals who served as “spokespeople” for the petition rather than for regular voters. Despite this clarification, Kaul insists that the payments still violate state election laws. Musk’s shifting explanation has not alleviated concerns, with Kaul continuing to argue that the timing and context of the offer make it a clear attempt to influence voter behavior. Kaul emphasized that offering money in exchange for voting could undermine election integrity, particularly in a race that is expected to be close and highly consequential. The Wisconsin Supreme Court now faces the task of deciding whether to block Musk’s offer ahead of a town hall event Musk plans to attend in Green Bay on Sunday night.

Urgent Legal Action Requested by Kaul

Kaul has called for the Supreme Court to act swiftly, given the proximity to the election. In his emergency petition, he stressed that Musk’s actions present a critical legal issue that requires immediate attention. Kaul noted that even without the original post, the timing of Musk’s offer—just days before a statewide election—could be seen as an attempt to sway voters by offering financial incentives. The Wisconsin Supreme Court, which includes a mix of four Democratic and three Republican justices, is now tasked with determining whether Musk’s offer can proceed. Kaul’s petition underscores the gravity of the situation, asking for a ruling before Musk can distribute the money during his Green Bay appearance. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for future elections in Wisconsin and across the country.