Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit Friday against billionaire Elon Musk and his political action committee, America PAC, alleging they violated state election laws by offering $1 million payments to voters ahead of the state’s pivotal April 3 Supreme Court election.
In a legal filing in Dane County Circuit Court, Kaul accused Musk of attempting to “buy votes” through a high-profile social media campaign promising large cash awards to Wisconsin voters who attend an event this Sunday and cast ballots in the election.
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“Musk’s announcement of his intention to pay $1 million to two Wisconsin electors…is a blatant attempt to violate Wisconsin election law,” Kaul’s complaint states. “This must not happen.”
The lawsuit centers on a now-deleted March 27 post by Musk on his platform, X.com, in which he said he would personally give $1 million to two Wisconsin voters who attended his event and voted in the upcoming election. Though Musk later deleted the post and revised his messaging, Kaul said neither Musk nor America PAC has withdrawn their intent to distribute the funds.
Under Wisconsin Statute § 12.11, it is illegal to offer or promise anything of value to induce a person to vote, refrain from voting, or vote in a particular way. Kaul is seeking an immediate temporary restraining order to block Musk and America PAC from promoting or making any such payments.
The lawsuit formally summons Musk and America PAC to respond within 20 days or face default judgment. Kaul is asking the court to issue:
- A temporary restraining order against further promotion of the planned payments.
- A permanent injunction preventing any cash awards tied to voter participation.
- Additional legal or equitable relief to ensure compliance with Wisconsin election law.
The court filing also cites a related scheme in which America PAC offered $100 payments to any Wisconsin registered voter who signed a political petition — and additional $100 bonuses for each voter they referred.
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Musk, who is listed as the founder and principal funder of America PAC, has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. The PAC has played an active role in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race, including awarding a $1 million prize to a Green Bay voter earlier this week who had participated in the petition campaign.
Despite widespread backlash — and suggestions that the giveaway may run afoul of campaign finance and election bribery laws — Musk has not canceled the upcoming Sunday event where further payments are expected to be announced.
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