Elon Musk's promise of $1 million voter payouts likely illegal, panel says
A bipartisan Wisconsin panel has referred complaints to a district attorney suggesting that Elon Musk's $1 million voter payout program during the 2025 state Supreme Court election likely violated state bribery laws. Musk's political spending in the race was significant, though his preferred candidate ultimately lost.
Why it matters
The case raises critical questions about the legality of financial incentives in political campaigns and the influence of billionaire spending on local judicial elections.
By SCOTT BAUER Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] --> Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. --> Share
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Billionaire Elon Musk likely broke Wisconsin law when he promised to hand out $1 million checks to voters in the 2025 state Supreme Court election, a bipartisan panel has found.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission last week referred two complaints to the Brown County district attorney’s office, which can choose to bring criminal charges over violating the state law against election bribery. Prosecutors have 40 days to report back to the commission.
Musk, the founder of SpaceX and CEO of Tesla, was deeply involved in the effort to flip majority control of the highest court in battleground Wisconsin.
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