In what feels like the basic plot of several dystopian films, the world’s richest man is doling out heaps of cash to try to impose his will over the U.S. court system, as several of his efforts to hack away at crucial government programs face pushback from dismayed judges.
The New York Times was first to report on Trump megadonor Elon Musk’s donations of several thousand dollars to numerous congressional Republicans who support the illiberal idea of impeaching judges who rule against components of President Donald Trump’s (and his) agenda. And Musk has taken a particular interest in the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election — and he’s shoveling out money in ways that only an oligarch can.
NBC News reports that Musk’s super PAC — America PAC — is the top outside spender in the Wisconsin race, with about $6.6 million spent. Various outlets have reported that Musk previously donated millions of dollars to the third-biggest outside spender in that race.
And on Thursday, Axios reported that Musk’s super PAC has begun “offering Wisconsin voters $100 to sign a petition expressing their opposition to ‘activist judges,’ a cause that President Trump is pressing as judges block or delay several parts of his agenda.” This resembles the $1 million daily giveaway that America PAC conducted in swing states during last year’s presidential race.
PETITION IN OPPOSITION TO ACTIVIST JUDGES:
— America (@america) March 21, 2025
Judges should interpret laws as written, not rewrite them to fit their personal or political agendas
Wisconsin registered voters receive $100 for signing the petition & $100 for each signer they refer
SIGN: https://t.co/PgHAgrlTFA pic.twitter.com/uMnpe4kc6s
Here’s the text of the petition:
Judges should interpret laws as written, not rewrite them to fit their personal or political agendas.
By signing below, I’m rejecting the actions of activist judges who impose their own views and demanding a judiciary that respects its role — interpreting, not legislating.
Axios reported that Musk’s team won’t know whether, or how, signees vote — but the $100 offer does open the door for some fairly easy cost-benefit analysis. In the Wisconsin election, which is being portrayed as a bellwether of the broader country’s stance toward Musk’s and Trump’s haphazard gutting of the federal government, voters can choose to take the $100 and essentially endorse the goal of usurping judges’ power. But the long-term costs if Musk and the MAGA movement succeed on that front — and defund vital programs that millions of Americans rely on — seem certain to exceed $100, by far. If, for example, you’re an American who relies on the Social Security services the Trump administration is threatening to imperil, or the services provided by the tens of thousands of employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs who could see their jobs eliminated, $100 may seem measly in exchange for endorsing a movement pushing for deep cuts to the programs you hold dear. Musk’s offer is putting Wisconsinites to the test. It’s up them to do the math.
Ja’han Jones is an MS NOW opinion blogger. He previously wrote The ReidOut Blog.
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