As reported by mainstream U.S. media, Elon Musk, Donald Trump’s right-hand man, is investing millions of dollars in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, turning it into one of the most expensive elections ever.
Through groups like Building America’s Future and America PAC, the DOGE secretary is funding the candidacy of Republican Brad Schimel, putting as much as $8 million on the line, and using deceptive advertising tactics, to the detriment of Democratic candidate Susan Crawford.
Many have wondered why the richest man in the world is so attentive to Wisconsin. First, because it’s a crucial presidential election state, but also because its Supreme Court often rules on key issues such as abortion, election laws, and redistricting.
According to the AP, Musk and his team are using various methods to support Schimel. One of the groups backed by him, for example, is launching a series of misleading advertisements and SMS messages directed at voters, intending to dissuade moderates and independents from voting for the Democratic nominee. One of the messages in question, for example, states that Crawford will “support a justice system that gives second chances to criminals,” and that he will “defend immigrants.”
These advertisements bear the signature of a phantom group called “Progress 2028,” but in reality these ads were funded by Building America’s Future, a nonprofit political organization founded by Musk himself.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court consists of seven judges. Each judge serves a ten-year term, which means that the winner of the April 1 election will hold the seat until 2035. Musk also has personal interests in the state. His Tesla is suing Wisconsin after it was denied a dealer’s license to sell its vehicles directly to consumers. State law prohibits automakers from owning dealerships, a rule designed to prevent monopoly control of the auto market. Tesla applied for an exemption last year, but the state rejected it in December.
Musk’s company then decided to take the matter to court. Now, the local Supreme Court itself will be asked to rule on the case. It seems clear, then, that it is of paramount importance for Musk to have judges in place who will bow to his companies and his interests.
