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Elon Musk is coming to Wisconsin ahead of state's 2025 Supreme Court election. What we know, don't know about DOGE leader's visit.
Christopher Kuhagen
Elon Musk has already poured in millions of dollars into the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election to help Waukesha County judge and conservative candidate Brad Schimel defeat Dane County judge and liberal candidate Susan Crawford.
Now, the billionaire says he's coming to the state two days before the high-stakes election.
The tech giant and leader of President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency agency, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday night that he'll be in Wisconsin on Sunday.
Musk, the world's richest person, initially said he will give out two $1 million checks to people who have already voted. However, by late Friday morning, Musk's post has since been deleted. Musk owns X.
Shortly after, though, he posted again, clarifying that the checks would be given to individuals who would serve as spokespeople for his "Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges." The new post also no longer said attendance would be limited "to those who have voted in the Supreme Court election," as the original post had said.
Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat, said Friday that he planned to take legal action to stop the payments.
Here's what we know about his announcement and his growing presence and financial contributions in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race:
Where will Elon Musk speak in Wisconsin?
Musk didn't mention in either of his tweets where in Wisconsin he'd be speaking Sunday.
In the second post, he just wrote that he'll give a talk in the state and that entrance will be limited to those who've signed the petition against "activist judges."
Elon Musk Wisconsin petition, America PAC
Musk's giveaway to Wisconsin voters comes after a Green Bay man received $1 million from Elon Musk's super PAC, America PAC, for the Wisconsin Supreme Court race.
The man, who has been identified as Scott Ainsworth, signed Musk's "Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges."
America PAC also said it'll pay Wisconsin voters $100 to sign the petition, Axios reported. The plan could be illegal under state law, one Wisconsin election lawyer said. It's illegal for voters to receive or accept any money for their vote, according to state statutes.
Musk has spent $11.5 million through America PAC to promote Schimel and attack Crawford in the Supreme Court race. He's the largest donor in the race for either campaign.
Musk has funneled in nearly $20 million in support of Schimel, campaign records show. Musk, who campaigned for Trump in the 2024 presidential election, gave away millions of dollars last fall through his political action committee in swing states. Legal challenges failed.
When Trump won the presidency, he made Musk the head of DOGE, which he started that has gone on to fire thousands of federal employees from agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, National Park Service, the Agriculture Department and more.
Elon Musk net worth
Musk is the world's richest person with a net worth of over $344.9 billion, according to Forbes.
He co-founded several companies, including electric car maker Tesla, rocket producer SpaceX and xAI, an artificial startup. He bought Twitter, which he renamed X, for $44 billion in 2022.
Donald Trump has endorsed Brad Schimel in Wisconsin Supreme Court race
Musk isn't the only prominent name advocating for Schimel. President Donald Trump has been stumping hard for Schimel in recent days.
He endorsed Schimel last week on social media and, on Thursday, he appeared on a public call with the Waukesha County judge.
Trump encouraged voters to vote for Schimel and called Crawford a "hand-picked candidate of the Communists and Marxists." Former President Barack Obama, meanwhile, has endorsed Crawford, saying "there’s only one candidate ready to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of Wisconsinites: Judge Susan Crawford."
Wisconsin early voting
Nearly 500,000 people have already voted in Wisconsin for Tuesday's spring election with the Supreme Court battle between Schimel and Crawford the headliner.
The winner will help shape the ideological philosophies in Wisconsin. Liberal justices have a slim 4-3 lead heading into the election.
Voters will also determine the state's top education official as well as whether to make voter ID law permanent and add it to the state constitution. Voter ID is already a requirement in the state.
AG Kaul seeks to block Musk's pledge to give $2 million to 2 voters ahead of Supreme Court election
MITCHELL SCHMIDT
Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul and the state Department of Justice plan to take legal action to halt billionaire Elon Musk's pledge to deliver $1 million each to two Wisconsin residents in the final days leading up to the high-stakes April 1 election that will determine ideological control of the state Supreme Court.
Musk, a close aide to President Donald Trump who has showered millions of dollars on the race to support Republican-backed candidate Brad Schimel, said in a post on the social media platform X he will visit Wisconsin on Sunday to deliver the $1 million checks.
Kaul said on Friday he'll be seeking a court order to stop the payments.
"Based on our understanding of applicable Wisconsin law, we intend to take legal action today to seek a court order to stop this from happening," Kaul said in a statement.
Musk has offered $100 to anyone who signs his "Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges" and on Thursday he said a Green Bay man who signed the document had been awarded $1 million.
Late Thursday evening, Musk said in the now-deleted post he will deliver the checks "in appreciation for you taking the time to vote." Entry to the event was to be limited to "those who have voted in the Supreme Court election."
But as questions swirled regarding the legality of such a pledge, Musk deleted the post about 12 hours after posting it. In a subsequent post shortly after noon Friday, Musk said he will "hand over checks for a million dollars to 2 people to be spokesmen for the petition." He did not say where or when the event will take place, or how the two individuals will be selected.
He also amended his previous statement, noting that entry to the event will be limited to those who have signed his petition, rather than individuals who have already voted.
Schimel, a Waukesha County Circuit Court judge, faces Democratic-backed Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford in a race that's shattered previous spending records for state judicial elections.
Musk has spent more than $20 million on the race so far through two political action committees and direct donations to the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
Musk has spent more than $20 million on the race so far through two political action committees and direct donations to the Republican Party of Wisconsin.
One of Musk's political action committees deployed a similar effort last year leading up to Trump's victory over then-Vice President Kamala Harris, offering $1 million a day to voters who signed a petition supporting the First and Second Amendment in several battleground states, including Wisconsin.
Philadelphia's district attorney sued to halt Musk's efforts in Pennsylvania in the 2024 presidential election, but a judge ultimately ruled prosecutors failed to show the attempt was an illegal lottery and it was allowed to continue through Nov. 4, according to the Associated Press.
Wisconsin election bribery laws ban individuals from offering "anything of value” to any elector in an attempt to “induce” them to vote or refrain from voting.
University of California election law professor Rick Hasen wrote in a Friday blog post that, while he hasn't researched Wisconsin caselaw surrounding election bribery, Musk's efforts "appear to violate the plain meaning of the statute."
"He’s offering a chance to win a million dollars, (which) is a thing of value, and it’s only offered to people who have voted," Hasan continued. "One might say he’s not inducing people, but instead rewarding them. I don’t think this helps, because the statute likely covers rewarding as well — think of people who decide to vote in order to attend the talk for the lottery chance to win a million dollars."
Officials with Crawford's campaign have called the payments a corrupt attempt to influence voters. Musk's involvement in the race began shortly after his Tesla electric car company sued Wisconsin for blocking it from opening dealerships in the state.
Crawford spokesperson Derrick Honeyman said Musk's efforts are "just a last-minute desperate distraction" and an attempt to influence the race in hopes of securing a favorable ruling in the lawsuit.
"Wisconsinites don’t want a billionaire like Musk telling them who to vote for, and on Tuesday, voters should reject Musk’s lackey Brad Schimel," Honeyman continued.
State Democrats also blasted Musk's pledge. Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said in a statement "merely the offer of something of value — in this case, the chance to receive one million dollars — is plainly illegal."
“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," Wikler continued.
"Wisconsinites will not be bought," Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said in a social media post. "Our votes are not for sale."
Schimel's campaign did not respond Friday to request for comment on the payments or whether the former attorney general plans to attend the event.
The state's highest court currently holds a 4-3 liberal majority. Seats on the seven-member court are technically nonpartisan, but political interests are spending millions on the race, the state’s two major parties have chosen sides and both candidates have painted their opponent as beholden to their partisan donors.
Total spending on the race topped $81 million as of Tuesday, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. That includes about $22 million spent by Crawford and more than $10 million spent by Schimel. The remaining more than $49 million flowing into the race has come from the state's two major political parties, megadonors and outside groups.
In addition to Musk, Schimel has received support from GOP megadonors like Diane Hendricks, the owner of ABC Supply in Beloit, and Liz Uihlein, president of shipping company Uline. Crawford, meanwhile, has benefited from liberal philanthropist George Soros, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and others.
The April 1 contest comes just two years after the last judicial election, another battle for ideological control of the court that set records at the time with more than $51 million spent by candidates and special-interest groups leading up to Janet Protasiewicz's 2023 victory over former Justice Dan Kelly.
As DOGE slashes funding source, Wisconsin behavioral treatment centers worry about programs
Natalie Eilbert
For several years, the clinical team at a critical Milwaukee treatment center has had monthly check-ins with program officers at the federal agency that oversees mental and behavioral health grants. They share information from other providers working in addiction recovery, problem-solve struggles with delivering services, and share crucial data on opioid overdoses.
But over the last few weeks, Valerie Vidal, CEO and president of Meta House, said her team has experienced a shift in the availability of contacts at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA. That's led to uncertainties over the future of grant awards.
It's a feeling that looms large over many grant-funded treatment programs in Wisconsin.
Read more lies here: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/health/2025/03/28/federal-funding-cuts-leave-wisconsin-behavioral-treatment-centers-wary/82404667007/
Treatment centers for addiction are a huge scam. They teach their clients that "relapse" is acceptable. They know that they can't succeed, so they set up their clients for failure. I know a man who was a counselor at a treatment center. When asked about the center's success rate (measured by 5 or more years of continuous sobriety), he replied 3%. That's "success?" Your money goes to "treatment" centers that can't keep anyone "treated." Utter bullshit.
Elon Musk to visit Wisconsin Sunday ahead of Supreme Court election
MITCHELL SCHMIDT
Billionaire Elon Musk plans to visit Wisconsin on Sunday to deliver $1 million each to two voters who have already cast ballots in the high-stakes April 1 election that will determine ideological control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Musk, a close aide to President Donald Trump who has showered millions of dollars on the race to support Republican-backed candidate Brad Schimel, said in a Thursday evening post on the social media platform X he will give a talk in Wisconsin on Sunday. Schimel, a Waukesha County Circuit Court judge, faces Democratic-backed Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford in a race that's shattered previous spending records for state judicial elections.
Musk didn't say exactly where or when he will speak, but noted entry to the event will be limited to "those who have voted in the Supreme Court election."
"I will also personally hand over two checks for a million dollars each in appreciation for you taking the time to vote," Musk continued. "This is super important."
Musk has spent more than $20 million on the race so far through two political action committees and direct donations to the Republican Party of Wisconsin. He has also offered $100 to anyone who signs his "Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges," and on Thursday he said a Green Bay man who signed the petition had been awarded $1 million.
One of Musk's political action committees deployed a similar effort last year leading up to Trump's victory over then-Vice President Kamala Harris, offering $1 million a day to voters who signed a petition supporting the First and Second Amendment in several battleground states, including Wisconsin.
Officials with Crawford's campaign have called the payments a corrupt attempt to influence voters. Musk's involvement in the race began shortly after his Tesla electric car company sued Wisconsin for blocking it from opening dealerships in the state.
Crawford spokesperson Derrick Honeyman said Musk's efforts are "just a last-minute desparate distraction" and an attempt to influence the race in hopes of securing a favorable ruling in the lawsuit.
"Wisconsinites don’t want a billionaire like Musk telling them who to vote for, and on Tuesday, voters should reject Musk’s lackey Brad Schimel," Honeyman continued.
Schimel's campaign did not immediately respond Friday to request for comment on the payments or whether Schimel plans to attend the Sunday event.
The state's highest court currently holds a 4-3 liberal majority. Seats on the seven-member court are technically nonpartisan, but political interests are spending millions on the race, the state’s two major parties have chosen sides and both candidates have painted their opponent as beholden to their partisan donors.
Total spending on the race topped $81 million as of Tuesday, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. That includes about $22 million spent by Crawford and more than $10 million spent by Schimel. The remaining more than $49 million flowing into the race has come from the state's two major political parties, megadonors and outside groups.
In addition to Musk, Schimel has received support from GOP megadonors like Diane Hendricks, the owner of ABC Supply in Beloit, and Liz Uihlein, president of shipping company Uline. Crawford, meanwhile, has benefited from liberal philanthropist George Soros, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and others.
The April 1 contest comes just two years after the last judicial election, another battle for ideological control of the court that set records at the time with more than $51 million spent by candidates and special-interest groups leading up to Janet Protasiewicz's 2023 victory over former Justice Dan Kelly.
Anti-Elon Musk plane flies over Milwaukee days before high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court election
Vanessa SwalesAlison Dirr
"Go Home Elon. Vote Susan," reads the banner flying behind a small plane, referencing liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford.
She will go head-to-head with Musk's preferred candidate, conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel, in an election that a watchdog group has estimated could top a record $100 million in spending.
Crawford's spokesman said the plane was not her campaign's and he did not know whose it was.
Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Andrew Iverson said in a statement, "Democrats have their heads in clouds focused on a man not even on the ballot. For those on the ground in Wisconsin, we know this race is about stopping the Dangerous Democrat agenda and electing Trump endorsed Brad Schimel."
President Donald Trump endorsed Schimel last week, and days later former President Barack Obama endorsed Crawford.
Musk and his groups have spent about $20 million on the campaign. On Wednesday night, he announced on his social media platform X a $1 million giveaway to a Green Bay voter who signed his super PAC's "Petition In Opposition To Activist Judges."
The single-engine plane flew out of Toledo Executive Airport in Ohio, landing at Brookfield's Capitol Airport Wednesday evening, according to Flight Aware.
About 10 a.m. Thursday the plane took to the skies again and primarily flew over Milwaukee's downtown and parts of the city's lakefront, a map of its flight path shows.
The plane is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, and the owner is listed as Glass City Aviation Services LLC, a company registered in Delaware but reported as a tenant at the Toledo airport.
Efforts to reach Glass City were not immediately successful.
Wisconsin campaign finance reports show no payments from a Wisconsin campaign committee to Glass City over the past two years.
Daniel Bice of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this story.
Vanessa Swales can be reached at vswales@gannett.com. Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com.
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