Story perspectives

Wisconsin won’t charge Elon Musk in election bribery

8/26/2026

Summary

Musk Escapes Bribery

La Crosse County Attorney Tim Gruenke said he will not charge Elon Musk with election bribery.
Wisconsin Elections Commission voted 5-1 that Musk’s March 27, 2025 X posts probably broke state bribery law.
Musk’s first post offered two $1 million checks to anyone who voted in the 2025 Supreme Court race.
Democratic Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner and Rep. Lee Snodgrass pledged to reintroduce anti-bribery legislation and noted a civil suit.

Summary

Musk Backs Schimel

The 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race exceeded $100 million, making it the costliest judicial contest in U.S. history.
Elon Musk and allied groups contributed at least $20 million to back GOP candidate Brad Schimel.
Brown County District Attorney David Lasee recused himself, prompting appointment of La Crosse County DA Tim Gruenke as special prosecutor.
The petition Musk promoted targeted “activist judges,” shifting the event’s eligibility from voting to petition signatures.

History

Historical Context

After the Supreme Court’s 5-4 Citizens United v. FEC decision in June 2010 removed limits on corporate and union independent spending, spending by non-partisan groups rose to $4.5 billion by 2020 and spurred the creation of super-PACs. In 2025 the Wisconsin Elections Commission cited Elon Musk’s $20 million contributions as a modern echo of that spending surge.

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Musk Escapes Bribery

La Crosse County Attorney Tim Gruenke said he will not charge Elon Musk with election bribery.
Wisconsin Elections Commission voted 5-1 that Musk’s March 27, 2025 X posts probably broke state bribery law.
Musk’s first post offered two $1 million checks to anyone who voted in the 2025 Supreme Court race.
Democratic Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner and Rep. Lee Snodgrass pledged to reintroduce anti-bribery legislation and noted a civil suit.

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