The Wisconsin Supreme Court declined on Sunday to hear a case brought against billionaire Elon Musk by the Midwestern state’s Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, over payments that the world’s wealthiest man has offered to individuals who sign an election-related petition.
Why It Matters
The April 1 Supreme Court election in Wisconsin will determine whether the state remains under 4-3 liberal control or flip to a conservative majority, which could have implications for a range of issues for the state.
The tight nature of the race has turned it into a lightning rod for the national political temperature, turning it into a major test of how the electorate feels about President Donald Trump’s second administration.
What To Know
An emergency petition against Musk, who had offered $2 million dollars in a giveaway to voters who signed an online petition against “activist” judges, with payouts of $1 million to each of two winners on Sunday at a rally ahead of the election.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision to not hear Kaul’s case was unanimous after two lower courts had already rejected the challenge.
Kaul’s request was first shut down by Columbia County Circuit Judge Andrew Voigt and then by an appellate court on Saturday, effectively giving Musk the go-ahead.
Trump and Musk have backed Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, while Democrats have backed Dane County Judge Susan Crawford. Two groups backed by Musk have already spent more than $20 million on Schimel’s campaign, and Democratic donors including George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker have given millions to support Crawford.
Kaul filed a lawsuit on Friday trying to block Musk’s payments on the basis that his offer is against a state law which makes it a felony to give voters anything of value in exchange for them voting.
While the post where Musk said he would hand over the $1 million checks to two Wisconsin voters has been removed, Kaul argued that the billionaire did not indicate that no payments will be made on Sunday.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
What People Are Saying
Elon Musk wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday: “A Supreme Court election in Wisconsin might determine the fate of America.”
President Donald Trump said during a town hall for Brad Schimel on Thursday night: “It’s a very important race. I know you feel it’s local, but it’s not. It’s really much more than local. The whole country is watching.”
Brad Schimel commented on the cash giveaways saying he does not control Musk: “Everything Elon Musk talks about is restoring law and order to Wisconsin, restoring objectivity to our courts. He doesn’t want anything from me except that I will follow the law and stop the Supreme Court from making the law from the bench. That’s all he wants.”
Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler said in a statement shared by the Associated Press: “Let’s be very clear: Elon Musk committed a crime the moment he offered million-dollar checks ‘in appreciation for’ voting, and deleting evidence of that crime changes nothing. Under Wisconsin law, merely the offer of something of value—in this case, the chance to receive 1 million dollars—is plainly illegal.”
What Happens Next?
Wisconsin voters will cast their vote in the state Supreme Court election on Tuesday.
Update 3/30/25, 8:55 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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Scott Olson/Getty Images // Robin Legrand/AFP via Getty Images
