Elon Musk Revives Controversial Voter Payment Strategy in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
In a bold move that’s sure to stir the pot, Elon Musk is reintroducing his controversial strategy from the 2024 presidential election: paying voters to engage in political activism. This time, the billionaire entrepreneur is focusing his efforts on Wisconsin, where his super PAC, America PAC, is offering $100 to registered voters who sign a petition opposing what they call “activist judges.” This initiative aims to rally conservative voters ahead of the crucial April 1 election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where Musk is backing conservative candidate Brad Schimel.
The petition itself is a call to action, urging signers to reject judicial activism. It states, “Judges should interpret laws as written, not rewrite them to fit their personal or political agendas.” By signing, voters are not just voicing their opinions; they’re also helping America PAC gather valuable data on the most motivated conservative voters in the state. This strategy is designed to boost awareness, increase voter registration, and ultimately drive turnout for Schimel, who is vying to reclaim a conservative majority on the court.
Musk’s approach isn’t entirely new. He previously employed a similar tactic during the 2024 election cycle, where he faced significant legal challenges over his lottery-style payouts to voters. In one instance, a Philadelphia district attorney sought to halt the distribution of these payments, which could reach up to $1 million for those who signed a pro-First Amendment document. However, a Pennsylvania judge ruled against the request just before Election Day, allowing Musk’s initiative to proceed.
The revival of this petition strategy in Wisconsin highlights two key priorities for Musk. Firstly, he is keenly focused on the upcoming court election, which could shift the balance of power back to conservatives after a liberal victory in 2023. America PAC, along with an allied nonprofit, has already poured over $11 million into Schimel’s campaign, aiming to steer the state rightward on critical issues like redistricting and abortion rights.
Secondly, Musk appears to be on a mission to reshape the judiciary, particularly targeting judges he perceives as obstructing former President Trump’s agenda. His frequent posts on social media reflect his frustrations with the federal judiciary, and the language in the Wisconsin petition underscores this focus. While the petition criticizes judges for being politically motivated, it’s clear that Schimel, Musk’s favored candidate, is a staunch Trump supporter—having even dressed up as the former president for Halloween.
As Musk continues to wield significant influence in political circles, his tactics are raising eyebrows and sparking debates about the ethics of incentivizing voter participation. Whether this strategy will pay off in Wisconsin remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Musk’s involvement in politics is anything but ordinary. With millions at stake and a pivotal election on the horizon, all eyes will be on the Badger State as the drama unfolds.
