Elon Musk is hitting the campaign trail once again. The billionaire and Republican supporter announced on Friday that he will be traveling to Wisconsin to support a conservative candidate in an important judicial election. This visit comes just two days before voters head to the polls on Tuesday, marking Musk’s most direct involvement in the State Supreme Court race, which many are watching closely to see how much influence he really has.
Musk plans to speak in Wisconsin on Sunday evening but hasn’t shared many details about the event. He didn’t mention the candidate, Brad Schimel, by name. Instead, he simply said he would be giving a talk in the state.
This isn’t Musk’s first time stepping into the political arena. He is using some of the same strategies he employed during the last presidential election. Back then, he traveled around Pennsylvania to help Donald Trump with his campaign, holding town hall events. Now, Musk is again using a similar approach, issuing personal checks to people who sign a petition his super PAC is circulating among registered voters. He is also offering a chance to win $1 million in random prizes for those who sign the petition, which criticizes what he describes as the actions of “activist judges.”
In a new twist, Musk is making some of these cash prizes conditional. To qualify, voters not only need to sign the petition and be registered, but they also must have already voted. This move raises some legal questions about the way he is incentivizing participation in the election. Musk announced that he would personally hand out two checks for $1 million each as a thank-you for those who take the time to vote. So far, his super PAC has already awarded $1 million to one Wisconsin voter who signed the petition.
As the election approaches, Musk’s activities are sure to attract attention and spark discussions about the role of money and influence in politics.