What are the odds...

Summary

Elon Musk gave away two $1 million checks in Wisconsin ahead of a key state Supreme Court election, prompting backlash after one winner was revealed as Nicholas Jacobs, chair of the Wisconsin College Republicans.

Critics called the giveaway “rigged,” fueling suspicion about Musk’s political motives.

Though Musk claimed the money wasn’t tied to voting, his deleted post initially suggested it rewarded voters. Wisconsin law bans vote-motivating payments.

Musk has invested nearly $20 million to support conservative candidate Brad Schimel.

    • NigahigaYT@lemmy.worldEnglish
      40·
      11 days ago

      Wasn’t this always known? Musk’s defense when he was sued for this in the 24 pres election was that it specifically wasn’t a lottery system and that the winner isn’t random but is vetted and picked before announcement, which is evidently legal.

      E: Source

      Quote:

      In court Monday, Musk’s lawyers acknowledged that the super PAC isn’t picking winners “by chance.”

      “There is no prize to be won,” Musk lawyer Chris Gober said, and the winners “are not chosen by chance.” Therefore, it is not a lottery, Gober argued.

      Instead, Gober said the so-called “prize” is actually compensation for serving as a spokesperson for the super PAC – and the recipients of the $1 million “are selected based on their suitability to serve as spokesperson for America PAC.” They “earn” the million dollars as payment for their work.

      • makyo@lemmy.worldEnglish
        18·
        11 days ago

        I feel like implying it’s a lottery that you can win should still be seriously punished but then I remember which reality we’re in and that nothing matters if you’re rich

    • Hellahunter@lemmy.worldEnglish
      33·
      11 days ago

      Not necessarily a brag when it’s blatantly obvious, it’s like saying I told you the sun would rise tomorrow. Lol

    • Boddhisatva@lemmy.world
      36·
      11 days ago

      It is unquestionably illegal. For your reference, here are the pertinent Wisconsin Bribery Statutes.

      This leaves me to question how much the various judges that allowed this to proceed were payed paid to ignore the laws as written. Assuming it wasn’t just fear of reprisal from MAGA terrorists that kept them from stopping it.

      • Chris@lemmy.world
        4·
        11 days ago

        Might not be the judges yet. A prosecutor has to charge them first. Then a judge can ignore it

        • Boddhisatva@lemmy.world
          8·
          11 days ago

          The WI AG went to court to block him from doing the give away and the judge said no. He then appealed that and the appeals court refused to stop it. He then went to the WI Supreme Court who also refused to stop it. Judges have already been ignoring it.