WISCONSIN— A La Crosse County prosecutor says Elon Musk will not face criminal charges over a controversial offer made during Wisconsin’s 2025 Supreme Court election.
La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke reviewed the matter after the Wisconsin Elections Commission referred it for possible violations of state election law.
On March 27, 2025, a post from Musk’s account appeared to offer people who had voted in the Supreme Court election a chance to receive $1 million.
The post said admission to a Green Bay event was limited to people who had voted in the election and that Musk would personally give two people one-million-dollar checks for voting.
About 12 hours later, another post clarified that admission was limited to people who had signed a petition opposing “activist judges.” The money was then described as going to two people selected as spokespeople for the petition.
Gruenke said the original wording could have been interpreted as offering a financial incentive tied to voting, which could potentially violate Wisconsin election law.
However, he said the follow-up post clarified the intent and there was no evidence anyone ultimately received money for voting or promising to vote.
Gruenke said he does not believe a jury would convict Musk, pointing to the ambiguity of the original post, the subsequent clarification and the lack of evidence that anyone was paid to vote.
The decision means Musk will not face criminal charges over the incident.
