Elon Musk Takes to Wisconsin, Dressed in Cheese, to Influence Supreme Court Race
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin — In a spectacle befitting his larger-than-life persona, Elon Musk donned a quintessential Wisconsin cheesehead hat as he plunged into the high-stakes political waters of the state’s Supreme Court race. His mission? To rally support for the Republican candidate in a contest that he argues has profound implications for the future of humanity — or at least for the next congressional elections.
Addressing a packed audience of around 2,000 at the KI Convention Center, Musk proclaimed, “It’s a super big deal,” asserting that the outcome of this judicial race might reverberate through the political landscape for years to come. He emphasized the importance of the race by revealing his generous gesture: handing out million-dollar checks to two Wisconsinites who signed a petition from America PAC opposing what he termed “partisan” judges.
The event took place just after the state Supreme Court ruled against efforts to block his financial giveaway, which had faced legal challenges from Wisconsin’s Democratic Attorney General Joshua Kaul. Critics of Musk’s largesse argue that it skirted election laws designed to prevent vote-buying schemes.
This election has already set records for campaign spending, with over $80 million funneled into the battle for the court, of which Musk has contributed approximately $18 million. His financial involvement has drawn scrutiny, particularly following a lawsuit by Tesla challenging a Wisconsin law that restricts the company from establishing dealerships, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
At the heart of the election is the showdown between Circuit Court Judge Brad Schimel and Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, the latter being the Democratic-backed contender. The outcome will significantly influence Wisconsin’s stance on critical issues, including abortion rights, redistricting, and labor laws in the years ahead.
The election serves as a litmus test for the strategies employed by President Donald Trump and Musk in their ongoing efforts to reshape government. This prompted a spirited protest outside the convention center, where demonstrators voiced their dissent with chants of “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go,” and held banners proclaiming, “Wisconsin is not for sale.”
Inside, Musk faced down jeers from a handful of hecklers, only to be met with a roaring “USA, USA, USA” from his supporters. Conversations with attendees revealed a surprising indifference to the ethical implications of Musk’s financial contributions, with many arguing that he is merely emulating the long-standing practices of Democratic donors.
Following his speech, Musk engaged with the audience in a Q&A reminiscent of his previous town hall meetings, discussing topics ranging from artificial intelligence and electoral violence to immigration and inflation. In a moment that garnered enthusiastic applause, he criticized government spending, declaring, “It’s time to end the Fed.”
In a humorous twist, Musk remarked on the financial burden of advising Trump, claiming, “It’s a very expensive job… I’m not getting paid,” which elicited a standing ovation from the crowd. The event was also introduced by Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson and former Representative Sean Duffy, who lauded Musk’s contributions to the cryptocurrency DOGE.
Notably absent from the event was Judge Schimel, who, due to campaign finance regulations, could not participate alongside Musk’s political action committee. This detail underscores the intricate web of laws that govern political donations and highlights the larger conversation about money’s influence in politics.
