Elon Musk may have broken election law by offering $1 million checks to voters, Wisconsin board finds

Key Points:

• The Wisconsin Elections Commission found probable cause that Elon Musk may have violated state election bribery laws by offering $1 million checks to voters during a Wisconsin Supreme Court election, referring the matter to the Brown County District Attorney's office.
• Musk's America PAC gave $1 million checks to voters who signed petitions against "activist judges" while heavily backing GOP candidate Brad Schimel, who ultimately lost to the Democratic-endorsed Susan Crawford.
• Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul previously sued Musk to stop the payments, alleging they violated state law, but Musk's legal team defended the actions as protected free speech; the state's highest court declined to rule on the issue.
• Similar legal challenges have arisen in other states, including Pennsylvania and Arizona, where Musk's cash giveaways during the 2024 presidential election have been accused of violating election and lottery laws, with ongoing lawsuits alleging fraud and breach of contract.
• It remains unclear whether Brown County District Attorney David Lasee will pursue charges against Musk, and both Musk and Lasee have not yet commented on the Wisconsin commission's referral.