Investigation into Elon Musk's $1 million payments to Wisconsin voters

The Wisconsin Election Commission found 'probable cause' that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk violated state election laws by making $1 million payments to voters during the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court election. The commission, whose members include both Democrats and Republicans, voted to refer the complaints to the Brown County District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors will review the evidence to decide whether to pursue the charges, and under state law, the district attorney has 40 days to report back to the commission. Musk's political action committee, America PAC, paid $100 to registered voters who signed a petition opposing 'activist judges' before the election. Musk's lawyers argued that the payments are protected under free speech, claiming they were made in support of constitutional principles.

Musk spent over $20 million through personal contributions and affiliated entities to support Republican candidate Brad Schimel. Although Schimel lost the election to Democratic candidate Susan Crawford by a 10-point margin, this race became the most expensive judicial election in US history with total spending exceeding $100 million. A government watchdog group filed a lawsuit to permanently prevent Musk from offering cash incentives in future elections.