Elon Musk Hands Out $1Mn Checks to Wisconsin Voters, Vows More Payouts to Back Conservatives

The world's richest person Elon Musk on Sunday gave away $1mn checks to two Wisconsin voters in Green Bay, announcing them spokespeople for his political group, ahead of a Wisconsin supreme court election, Reuters reported. He said that this election is critical to US President Donald Trump's agenda for "the future of civilization".

He also promised smaller amounts to others who would help elect a conservative candidate to the state's top court in a closely watched election.

Musk said that he is spending the money to raise awareness about the race in which liberal Susan Crawford likely to be running ahead of conservative Brad Schimel. Musk also announced that he would pay $20 to every voter they recruit over the next two days.

"We actually are in serious danger of losing the election. We've got to pull a rabbit out of a hat," said Musk.

The report noted that the April 1 contest will shape the ideological direction of the state’s top court as it weighs key issues like abortion rights, labor rights, and possibly election rules. Though officially nonpartisan, the race is viewed as an early referendum on Trump in this politically competitive state.

According to AP, Musk and groups he supports have spent over $20mn to help Schimel in the upcoming race.

“I think this will be important for the future of civilization,” Musk added. 

Notably, the state supreme court on Sunday unanimously rejected a last-minute plea by the state’s Democratic attorney general to prohibit Musk from handing over the checks to voters, a ruling that came just minutes before the planned start of the rally.