Elon Musk handed out $1 million checks to two voters in Wisconsin just before the state’s Supreme Court election.
On Sunday night, just 36 hours before Election Day, Musk was the highlight of a rally attended by 2,000 people in Wisconsin. The event was nominally in support of the conservative candidate in a pivotal state judicial race, though Musk himself took center stage. Neither of the candidates—Brad Schimel, the conservative, or Susan Crawford, the liberal—was as prominent as Musk in the event’s final stretch.
Campaigns are usually highly orchestrated in their final moments, but Musk’s visit to back Schimel was entirely voluntary. Schimel didn’t even attend the rally, yet Musk embraced the role of spokesperson for the cause. While Wisconsin Republicans urged Donald Trump to visit, the former president declined, possibly sensing the race leaned toward a Democratic victory. Former Governor Scott Walker, a Republican, had hoped for Trump’s support but suggested that Musk was less concerned about political repercussions.
Initially, Musk had only shown sporadic support for Schimel, but in recent weeks, he escalated his involvement, framing the election as crucial. Along with allied groups, he poured over $20 million into Schimel’s campaign and described the election’s stakes in dramatic terms. He claimed the outcome could influence which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives, which, in turn, could steer the course of Western civilization.
At a well-produced town hall in Green Bay, Musk focused on increasing voter turnout, particularly among the roughly 200,000 Trump voters seen as key to a Republican win. Despite criticism from liberals, Musk is popular among conservatives. Many attendees came specifically to see him, wearing Musk-branded apparel. Some, like Michael Labarbera, a 25-year-old solar panel installer, and John Rosner, a retiree, viewed Musk as a celebrity worth meeting.
Robert Cool, an 81-year-old retiree, attended his first-ever political rally for Musk, saying he felt compelled to be there, unlike at a Trump event. He expressed strong support for Musk, particularly in response to attacks on Tesla.
Musk, known for his confidence, appeared to enjoy engaging with voters who admire him. His influence at the event mirrored his previous high-profile appearances, such as his rally in Pennsylvania five months earlier. If Schimel wins, Musk will likely receive substantial credit for the victory.
Unlike other Republican groups that largely stayed out of the race, Musk’s super PAC ran an aggressive ground campaign, while a nonprofit linked to him spent millions on TV ads to boost Schimel. Supporters like Walker argued that Musk’s financial backing made the race competitive.
Musk also generated headlines with a million-dollar sweepstakes for petition signers, initially restricted to Wisconsin residents who had already voted—a move that drew legal scrutiny but was ultimately allowed by the state’s Supreme Court.
As he did in Pennsylvania, Musk used theatrics at the rally, bringing out oversized checks for the winners and having his close associate, Antonio Gracias, give a presentation on alleged Social Security fraud. He also played to the crowd, donning a foam cheesehead hat before signing it and tossing it into the audience.
Despite his efforts, Musk acknowledged that Schimel might still lose. Wrapping up his speech, he joked that victory would require an “arc of rabbits flying through the air” and landing in voting booths, emphasizing the challenge ahead.
