Elon Musk likely broke the law by promising voters $1 million payouts, Wisconsin board says

Key Points:

• The Wisconsin Elections Commission found probable cause that Elon Musk likely violated state election bribery laws by promising $1 million checks to voters in the 2025 state Supreme Court election, referring complaints to the Brown County district attorney for potential criminal charges.
• Musk and affiliated groups spent over $20 million supporting Republican candidate Brad Schimel, who lost to Democrat Susan Crawford, while the total spending on the election surpassed $100 million, making it the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history.
• The complaints stem from Musk’s actions at a Green Bay rally where he handed out checks and offered monetary incentives via his political action committee to voters opposing "activist judges," which critics argue was intended to induce votes.
• A lawsuit filed by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign seeks to bar Musk from future cash payments in the state, alleging violations of vote bribery and unauthorized lottery laws, while Musk’s legal team claims the payments are protected free speech aimed at grassroots activism rather than direct candidate advocacy.
• Despite legal challenges, including a failed attempt by Wisconsin’s Democratic attorney general to stop the check giveaways, the investigation continues as prosecutors consider whether to press charges within 40 days.