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Wisconsin DA Won’t Prosecute Elon Musk for Bribery Allegations

8/26/2026

33 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Elon Musk will not be prosecuted for alleged election bribery in Wisconsin.
La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke said no charges will be filed.
In March 2025 Musk announced two $1 million checks for Green Bay rally voters.
Twelve hours later he limited the offer to petition signers and redirected checks to spokesmen.
Musk-backed Republican Brad Schimel lost to Democrat Susan Crawford, keeping a liberal majority in a $100 million race.

History

Historical Context

Citizens United v. FEC (2010) struck down limits on corporate and union election spending, creating super-PACs and a dark-money boom. Wisconsin’s Supreme Court upheld the decision in 2022, and in March 2025 La Crosse County DA Tim Gruenke declined to prosecute Elon Musk after his two $1 million contributions to a Green Bay voter-registration rally. The case unfolds as federal election spending reached $14 billion in 2020.

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Story summary

Elon Musk will not be prosecuted for alleged election bribery in Wisconsin.
La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke said no charges will be filed.
In March 2025 Musk announced two $1 million checks for Green Bay rally voters.
Twelve hours later he limited the offer to petition signers and redirected checks to spokesmen.
Musk-backed Republican Brad Schimel lost to Democrat Susan Crawford, keeping a liberal majority in a $100 million race.

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