Trump Action Archive

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• Fulton County Superior Court orders $10,000 daily fine for election board non-compliance with Republican appointments — Fulton County commissioners in Georgia face a $10,000-per-day fine after Superior Court Judge David Emerson found them in civil contempt for refusing to appoint two Republican nominees to the county election board. The county charter mandates appointment of two Republicans and two Democrats nominated by their respective party chairs. Democratic commissioners rejected the Republican nominees—Jason Frazier, a prolific voter-registration challenger, and Julie Adams, an election-denier affiliated with Cleta Mitchell's activist network—citing concerns about election integrity. The court ruled the appointment language "mandatory" and rejected the commissioners' argument that they were preserving appellate rights.

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• Louisiana asks Supreme Court to overturn Voting Rights Act provision — Louisiana asked the Supreme Court to overturn a key provision of the Voting Rights Act and prohibit the use of race in redistricting.

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• Director of National Intelligence announces workforce cuts — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced a 40% cut to her office, affecting the Foreign Malign Influence Center, which monitors foreign influence operations. This decision is part of a broader trend of reducing oversight of foreign interference in U.S. democracy.
• Director of National Intelligence Gabbard announced 40% workforce cuts — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced she will cut 40% of her office's workforce, with cuts targeting the Foreign Malign Influence Center, which collects and analyzes data on foreign influence operations seeking to undermine U.S. democracy. The cuts represent a significant reduction in the intelligence community's capacity to detect and counter foreign interference.
• Tulsi Gabbard announces plan to cut ODNI staff in half — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced that she plans to cut her office's staff in half, marking the largest reform to the ODNI since it was created after 9/11. She also plans to scale back the Foreign Malign Influence Center, which is responsible for collecting and analyzing data on foreign efforts to undermine US democracy, with ODNI claiming the center was used by the Biden administration to "justify the suppression of free speech and to censor political opposition."

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• Trump announces executive order to eliminate mail-in voting following Putin's election-rigging claims — During a US-Russia summit in Anchorage on 15 August, Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump that the 2020 US election was rigged through mail-in voting. Three days later, Trump announced that lawyers were drafting an executive order to eliminate mail-in balloting, a method used by nearly a third of Americans. The order would restrict a voting method that has not been credibly linked to election fraud, following validation from a foreign adversary.
• Trump announced intention to eliminate mail-in voting and voting machines via executive order — Trump's social media account posted that the president would "lead a movement to get rid of" mail-in ballots and voting machines and claimed he would sign an executive order "to help bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm Elections." The post falsely claimed the U.S. is the only country using mail-in voting and that it is rife with fraud, and asserted that Democrats "CHEAT AT LEVELS NEVER SEEN BEFORE."
• Trump claimed federal government has authority to dictate state election procedures — Trump's social media post asserted that "the States are merely an 'agent' for the Federal Government in counting and tabulating the votes. They must do what the Federal Government, as represented by the President of the United States, tells them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY, to do." This claim directly contradicts the U.S. Constitution's allocation of election authority to states and Congress.
• Trump announced executive order campaign to eliminate mail-in voting and voting machines — Trump announced plans to sign an executive order to eliminate mail-in ballots and voting machines, claiming they result in fraud. He stated that states are merely "agents" of the federal government and must follow presidential directives on vote counting. The announcement came after a meeting with Putin, where Putin questioned mail-in ballot legitimacy. Trump falsely claimed the U.S. is the only country using mail-in voting.
• Trump proposes executive order to ban mail-in voting — President Trump announced on Truth Social on August 18 his intention to sign an executive order banning mail-in voting and eliminating voting machines for the 2026 midterm elections. Trump claimed states are merely "agents" of the federal government in counting votes and must follow federal directives. Election experts told WIRED this interpretation is "completely inaccurate and misleading" regarding the U.S. Constitution.
• Trump announces lawyers drafting executive order to eliminate mail-in voting — Donald Trump announced on Monday that his lawyers are drafting an executive order to end mail-in voting, claiming the method is "corrupt." The announcement came days after a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where Putin allegedly told Trump the 2020 election was rigged due to postal ballots. Trump made false claims about Jimmy Carter's position on mail-in voting and asserted the US is the only country using it, contradictions contradicted by international data and Carter's own 2020 statements urging expansion of vote-by-mail access.

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• Thousands participate in nationwide "Fight the Trump Takeover" protests against Republican redistricting plans — On Saturday, August 16, thousands of protesters gathered across 34 U.S. states to oppose Republican redistricting efforts, particularly in Texas. The main rally in Austin drew over 5,000 people at the state capitol, featuring speakers including labor activist Dolores Huerta, congressman Greg Casar, and former congressman Beto O'Rourke. Protesters opposed a mid-decade redistricting plan that would add five Republican House seats to Texas. The action was organized by major Democratic groups including Indivisible, MoveOn, and the Democratic National Committee, with concurrent demonstrations in Washington DC and other cities nationwide.

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• California Governor Newsom issues warning on redistricting — California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a public letter to President Trump on August 11, 2025, warning that if Trump does not cease attempts to redistrict Republican-dominated states to rig the 2026 elections, California will be forced to work to redistrict itself. Newsom stated that Trump is "playing with fire, risking the destabilization of our democracy" and that California "cannot stand idly by as this power grab unfolds," though he expressed reluctance to abandon independent, citizen-led redistricting efforts. Newsom's press office followed with social media posts using emphatic language warning Trump to "stand down" or face California's counter-strike, with posts referencing a press conference and final warning to be announced.

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• Vice President Vance claimed statistical error in 2020 Census without evidence — Vice President JD Vance claimed on Fox News without evidence that the 2020 Census contained a "major statistical error" that overcounted blue states and undercounted red states. He suggested a mid-decade Census would result in 10 additional House seats for Republicans and nine fewer for Democrats.

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• Texas House Democrats break quorum to block mid-decade redistricting vote — Approximately 30 Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives left the state to deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass a new congressional district map. President Trump had demanded the mid-decade redistricting to shift five seats from Democrats to Republicans and secure Republican control of the U.S. House in 2026. The Democrats traveled to Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York to coordinate with Democratic leaders. Texas governor Greg Abbott responded by threatening to remove absent Democrats from office, replace them with appointees, and pursue extradition charges.
• Texas Democrats flee state to block redistricting vote; Illinois governor pledges protection — Texas House Democrats left the state on Sunday to prevent a quorum for a vote on Republican-drawn congressional maps that could gain Republicans five additional U.S. House seats. Texas Governor Greg Abbott threatened expulsion and Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened arrest. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker pledged to protect the fleeing lawmakers, calling their action "a righteous act of courage" and offering lodging and meeting spaces, while criticizing the redistricting plan as silencing Black and Latino voters.
• Texas Democrats leave state to prevent redistricting vote — About 30 Texas Democratic state representatives departed for Illinois to prevent a quorum on a Monday vote on new congressional maps that would create five Republican-leaning House seats. The maps, released by Texas Republicans and approved by a House committee on Saturday, target Democratic districts in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and south Texas. Democrats accused Governor Greg Abbott of withholding disaster relief to force the vote and characterized the effort as a "Trump gerrymander." Illinois Governor JB Pritzker provided logistical support. Democrats face potential $500-per-day fines and arrest under a 2023 measure.
• Texas House Democrats Leave State to Deny Quorum for Redistricting Vote — Democratic lawmakers from the Texas House of Representatives left the state to deny Republican lawmakers the quorum needed to pass a new district map that would shift five seats from Democrats to Republicans. This action was taken in response to President Trump's demand for mid-decade redistricting to secure Republican control in the upcoming 2026 elections. The Texas Democrats traveled to various states, including Illinois, to confer with Democratic leaders and emphasize their fight against what they termed a power grab.

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• Texas governor threatens removal and extradition of absent Democratic legislators — Texas governor Greg Abbott threatened to remove from office any Democratic state representatives absent for Monday's redistricting vote and replace them with his own appointees. Abbott also suggested he would consider the Democrats felons for accepting financial support for housing and meals in Illinois, and threatened to use his extradition authority to compel their return to Texas. These threats were issued in response to the Democratic quorum break.
• Texas Gov. Abbott ordered arrest of Democratic state representatives who fled to break quorum — Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the arrest of Texas House Democrats who left the state to prevent a quorum on a special legislative session aimed at aggressive gerrymandering. Abbott claimed the Democrats were "abandoning their duty" and "holding hostage" flood relief legislation. The walkout, which included over 51 of 62 Democratic members, successfully blocked the session. Abbott threatened removal from office, felony bribery charges, and prosecution under a legal opinion from AG Ken Paxton, though legal experts disputed the validity of these threats.
• Abbott threatened felony bribery charges against Democratic legislators — Governor Abbott threatened to prosecute Texas House Democrats for felony bribery if they accepted travel, lodging, or meals from other state governors (such as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker) while out of state. Abbott framed acceptance of such support as a "quid pro quo" for breaking quorum. Legal experts, including Democratic Rep. Jolanda Jones, a lawyer, stated no such felony exists in Texas law and Abbott was fabricating charges.
• Texas Republicans advanced aggressive gerrymandering map in special session — Texas Governor Abbott convened a special legislative session to advance a radical gerrymandering plan that would eliminate at least five Democratic state House seats. The map was so extreme that it placed U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett's house outside her own district and combined the districts of U.S. Representatives Greg Casar and Lloyd Doggett. Democratic legislators' walkout successfully blocked the session.
• Texas House Republicans advance redistricting plan as Democrats flee state to deny quorum — Texas House Republicans, at the direction of Governor Greg Abbott following a White House proposal, moved forward with a redistricting plan to redraw congressional lines in Republican favor. Democrats denied a quorum by leaving the state on August 4. Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest and return absent Democratic lawmakers. The special session, lasting 30 days, imposes $500-per-day fines on absent members. Democrats vowed to fight the plan, which would dilute Democratic voting strength and give Republicans five additional congressional seats.
• Texas Governor Abbott announces plan to arrest Democratic representatives — Texas Governor Greg Abbott appeared on Fox News discussing his plan to hunt down and arrest Democratic representatives who refuse to show up for what the source characterizes as his "illegal gerrymander." Abbott stated that Texas officers are on the streets looking for those Democratic House members to arrest them.

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• Democratic governors announce willingness to conduct partisan redistricting in response to Republican gerrymandering — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and California Governor Gavin Newsom announced they would consider or pursue partisan redistricting in their own states to counter Republican mid-decade redistricting efforts. Newsom stated California could eliminate nine Republican-leaning districts and posted "Game on," signaling Democratic willingness to abandon previous commitments to independent redistricting commissions and engage in tit-for-tat partisan gerrymandering.
• New York Governor Hochul announced intent to abandon independent redistricting commission and redraw congressional lines — Governor Kathy Hochul held a press conference in response to Texas gerrymandering, stating she would explore redrawing New York's congressional lines and disband the state's independent redistricting commission. When asked directly if the commission should be disbanded, Hochul said "Yes," stating she was "tired with fighting this fight with my hand tied behind my back" and that "politics is a political process."
• California, Illinois, and New York Democrats pledge retaliatory mid-decade redistricting — Democratic governors in California, Illinois, and New York announced plans to redraw congressional districts in retaliation for Texas Republicans' mid-decade redistricting effort. California Governor Gavin Newsom is leading an effort to reduce Republican seats from the current distribution; New York Governor Kathy Hochul indicated consideration of a constitutional amendment to allow mid-decade redistricting. These actions represent an escalating partisan redistricting cycle that could persist for years and undermine electoral stability.

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• Trump urges Texas Republicans to conduct mid-decade redistricting before 2026 midterms — President Trump asked Texas Republicans to redraw congressional district lines mid-decade, outside the normal ten-year post-census cycle, to eliminate five Democratic-leaning districts and create Republican-favoring ones. Trump stated he expected Texas to yield five additional House seats and urged other Republican-controlled state legislatures in Florida, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Ohio to undertake similar redistricting. The effort aims to secure Republican House control despite declining electoral popularity.

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• Newsom threatens to redraw California congressional districts in response to Texas redistricting plan — California Governor Gavin Newsom announced he is prepared to redraw the state's 52 congressional districts to offset a Republican plan in Texas to pick up seats through redistricting. Newsom framed the threat as a response to what he characterized as Republicans playing by different rules. However, California voters approved a constitutional amendment over a decade ago that stripped lawmakers of redistricting power and gave it to an independent commission. Newsom suggested the legislature could call a voter referendum or attempt to enact new maps unilaterally, though legal experts said such moves would be unlawful and undermine the independent process.
• California Democrats consider competitive district strategy — Some California Democrats have indicated willingness to run in more competitive districts to gain approximately a half dozen more blue seats in response to Texas redistricting efforts. However, a major roadblock is that California voters approved a constitutional amendment handing redistricting authority to an independent commission ahead of the 2011 remap.
• Newsom mobilizes California response to Texas redistricting — Gov. Gavin Newsom is mobilizing California to respond to Texas calling a special session to attempt to gerrymander congressional districts before the midterms at Trump's direction. Trump stated he believes Republicans could gain five additional seats through this redistricting. Some California Democrats have indicated willingness to run in more competitive districts to gain a half dozen more blue seats.
• Rep. Garcia supports Newsom's redistricting response — Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) stated that Gov. Newsom is a street fighter who will not let Trump or anyone interfere with California or the country, and that if Republicans bring knives to the fight, Newsom is bringing tanks.
• Rep. Jacobs pledges California response to Texas redistricting — Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) stated that California is ready and if Texas proceeds with redistricting, California will respond.

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• Trump directed Texas Republicans to redraw congressional map for partisan gain — Trump told Texas Republicans on a call that the GOP should seek to gain 5 new red seats through mid-decade redistricting. Trump later confirmed the directive, stating "we pick up 5 seats. And then a couple of other states where we will pick up seats also." The effort represents executive direction of partisan gerrymandering to alter electoral outcomes.
• Trump calls for "simple redraw" of Texas congressional map — Trump called for a "simple redraw" of the Texas congressional map that would likely result in House Republicans picking up five seats in the 2026 midterm elections. He also said there are "a couple of other states where we will pick up seats also" due to redistricting.
• Texas Republicans prepare to redraw congressional map at Trump's direction — At Donald Trump's behest, Texas Republicans are preparing to redraw the state's congressional map in a special legislative session to gain as many as five additional congressional seats. The effort targets Democratic-held districts, particularly in south Texas and Houston, and would further dilute the political influence of the state's fast-growing non-white population. The Justice Department issued a July 7 letter claiming unconstitutional racial sorting in four districts, which Governor Greg Abbott cited to justify the special session. Democrats are considering a legislative walkout to deny Republicans a quorum, and Attorney General Ken Paxton has threatened to "hunt down" members who walk out.

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• Jeff Small contacts Colorado election clerks requesting access to voting machines — Jeff Small, a political consultant claiming to work with the White House on Trump's election security executive order, contacted at least 10 Republican county clerks in Colorado via text and phone between July 9–24, 2025, requesting access to voting equipment and election records. Clerks including Steve Schleiker (El Paso), Justin Grantham (Fremont), and Bobbie Gross (Mesa) reported the requests as alarming and potentially illegal. Small's lawyer later claimed he was acting on a volunteer basis during paternity leave. DHS distanced itself from Small, stating he has no official role. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold called the defense "completely misleading."

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• Greg Abbott announces plan to redraw Texas congressional districts — Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a plan to redraw the state's congressional districts as part of his legislative priorities for the upcoming session beginning July 21. The move, reportedly made in response to Trump administration pressure for additional Republican seats, would constitute a mid-decade gerrymander. Democrats and voting-rights advocates condemned the action as an attack on democracy, particularly given its timing during a state emergency following deadly flooding. The Texas legislature, with Republican majorities in both chambers, is expected to approve Abbott's conservative agenda.

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• Elon Musk threatened to finance primary challengers against Republican Congress members — Former Trump adviser and top donor Elon Musk threatened to finance primary challengers against Republican members of Congress who vote for Trump's "big, beautiful bill," calling it "utterly insane." The threat represents use of financial power to coerce legislative votes on a specific bill.
• Elon Musk threatens primary challenges against Republicans who voted for budget — Elon Musk posted multiple messages attacking the budget bill and Republican members of Congress. He declared that every member who campaigned on reducing spending but voted for the bill "should hang their head in shame" and threatened they would "lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth." Musk also announced that if the bill passes, he will form the "America Party" as an alternative to the "Democrat-Republican uniparty."
• Elon Musk announces formation of America Party as alternative political organization — Elon Musk declared in early July 2025 the formation of the America Party, positioning it as a viable alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties. Musk stated the party would challenge what he characterizes as a "one-party system" focused on "bankrupting our country with waste & graft." He proposed running candidates for two to three Senate seats and up to ten House districts, believing such representation could serve as deciding votes on contentious legislation. Political scientists and experts expressed skepticism about the party's viability and impact.
• Elon Musk launched third political party called "The America Party" — Elon Musk, who spent the previous 24 hours criticizing the Senate budget bill and urging House members to vote against it while threatening to back primary opponents, announced the launch of a third political party called "The America Party." Musk's actions included threatening primary challenges to House Republicans and launching this new party as an apparent alternative to existing political structures.
• Elon Musk threatened to form new political party and run primary challengers over budget bill — Billionaire Elon Musk reentered the debate over the budget reconciliation bill, threatening to start a new political party if it passed. Musk also threatened to run primary challengers against lawmakers who voted yes on the measure, creating a counterweight to Trump's threat to run challengers against those who vote no. Musk claimed to be donating to the reelection campaign of Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), an opponent of the bill.

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• Trump called for a Special Prosecutor to investigate the 2020 election — Donald Trump publicly demanded the appointment of a Special Prosecutor to investigate the 2020 election, claiming it was fraudulent and that Joe Biden lost by a landslide. He emphasized the need for action to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
• Trump Calls for Special Prosecutor for 2020 Election — On Truth Social, President Trump called for a special prosecutor to investigate the 2020 presidential election, claiming it was fraudulent. His statements continue to challenge the legitimacy of the election results.

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• Michigan GOP Files Lawsuit Against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson — The Michigan Republican Party has filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, challenging her administration's handling of election procedures. The lawsuit alleges that Benson's actions have undermined election integrity and seeks to impose new restrictions on voting processes ahead of the 2026 elections. The case is part of a broader strategy by the GOP to influence election administration in Michigan, a key battleground state.

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• Second judge blocks Trump order to require proof of citizenship to vote — A federal judge in Massachusetts, Denise J Casper, has issued an injunction against parts of Donald Trump's executive order that required proof of citizenship to vote in US elections. This ruling follows a similar decision by a federal judge in Washington DC. The Massachusetts ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by Democratic state attorneys general, who argued that the order overstepped presidential authority and could disenfranchise voters. The executive order had aimed to change voting eligibility and processes, including empowering federal agencies to cut funding to non-compliant states and instructing the Department of Justice to prosecute "election crimes."
• Preliminary injunction ruling — State of California v. Trump (D. Mass.) 1:25-cv-10810 — Judge Casper issued a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from enforcing key parts of the administration's election Executive Order , which requires states to demand proof of citizenship for voter registration, imposes new requirements on public assistance agencies, and penalizes states for ballot receipt deadlines and ballot curing practices. The court found that the coalition of states suing the government showed a “substantial risk” that their citizens would be disenfranchised.
• Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Election Overhaul Order — A federal judge blocked President Trump's executive order seeking to overhaul elections, including requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. The judge ruled that the Constitution does not grant the President specific powers over elections.

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• Federal court orders certification of North Carolina Supreme Court election results — On May 5, a federal court ordered the North Carolina Board of Elections to certify Allison Riggs as the winner of the North Carolina Supreme Court race. This decision came after the court found that the North Carolina Supreme Court's earlier ruling to discard certain ballots violated the constitutional rights of voters. The federal court's order referenced reporting by Popular Information, which identified errors in the Griffin campaign's claims about "never residents." The court's decision effectively ended the prolonged dispute over the election results.
• Federal judge rules Democrat's North Carolina election win must stand — A federal judge ruled that Democrat Allison Riggs must be certified as the winner of a North Carolina state supreme court election, rejecting Republican Jefferson Griffin's challenge to over 60,000 votes. Griffin had argued that election officials wrongly counted these votes, mostly from Democratic-leaning counties. The judge, Richard Myers II, stated that changing election rules post-election and applying them retroactively to a select group of voters was unconstitutional. The ruling paused for seven days to allow Griffin to appeal, but it affirmed Riggs's victory by 734 votes after multiple recounts.
• Federal judge blocks ruling requiring voter eligibility proof in North Carolina — A federal judge blocked a North Carolina supreme court ruling that required over 1,300 voters to prove their eligibility or have their votes discarded in the contested state supreme court race between Republican Jefferson Griffin and Democrat Allison Riggs. This decision came after Griffin, who lost by 734 votes, contested the election results for over six months. The federal judge's order mandated state election officials to certify the election, effectively upholding Riggs' victory. Griffin announced he would not appeal the decision, ending the prolonged legal battle.

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• FEC Commissioner Resigns, Leaving Agency Without Quorum — A second commissioner resigned from the Federal Election Commission, leaving the agency without a quorum, which prevents it from taking official actions like citing committees for campaign finance violations. This resignation affects the FEC's regulatory capacity.

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• Proposed NC Bill to Restrict Voter Registration — North Carolina's HB 127, titled "Voter Registration Drive Form," is set for committee review. The bill would make it illegal for any person or organization to use an actual registration form to register voters, potentially hindering voter registration efforts and access to democratic participation.
• US House passes Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act requiring documentary proof of citizenship to vote — The US House of Representatives approved the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (Save Act) on a 220-208 vote on Thursday, requiring voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship such as a passport or birth certificate when registering or updating registration. Supporters claim the bill prevents noncitizen voting; opponents argue it will disenfranchise millions of American citizens, particularly people of color, young voters, rural residents, and those without readily available citizenship documents. The bill codifies elements of a presidential executive order signed on 25 March and faces uncertain prospects in the Senate.
• U.S. House passes SAVE Act restricting voting rights — The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act as part of a broader legislative package. Democracy Docket characterized the act as "the most extraordinary attack on voting rights in American history." The legislation now faces Senate consideration, with advocacy groups mobilizing opposition and urging senators to vote against it.

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• Elon Musk amplifies Wisconsin election conspiracy theory — On April 2, Elon Musk amplified a conspiracy theory by Roger Stone that the Wisconsin Supreme Court election was "stolen." The amplification of false claims about election integrity by a prominent figure with government access undermines public trust in elections.

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• DOGE staffer made false claims about non-citizen voting using Social Security data — Antonio Gracias, a DOGE staffer embedded at the SSA, publicly claimed at a March 30, 2025 rally in Wisconsin that 2.1 million non-citizens obtained Social Security numbers and that he had identified non-citizens registered to vote. However, those Social Security numbers were legally issued to immigrants with work permits, who are ineligible to register to vote. Gracias claimed he had referred individuals for prosecution, but no known charges or convictions resulted. He repeated similar false claims on Fox News and podcasts.

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• Musk's campaign contributions raise concerns — Elon Musk has contributed over $20 million to the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election, which has national significance due to its potential impact on voting rights and redistricting.
• Musk's Financial Contributions to Republican Candidates — Elon Musk has contributed over $20 million to the April 1 election for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, where his support is seen as an effort to influence the court's composition. His financial backing is part of a broader strategy to support Republican candidates in key elections.
• Wisconsin supreme court election featuring record spending by Elon Musk and allies — Wisconsin held a supreme court election on March 30, 2025, to fill a retiring liberal justice's seat. Liberal judge Susan Crawford faced conservative judge Brad Schimel. The race became the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, with over $80 million spent. Elon Musk's Super PAC spent more than $20 million supporting Schimel, including a controversial $1 million giveaway offer that Wisconsin's Democratic attorney general sued to stop. The election will determine control of a court ruling on abortion, voting rights, and congressional redistricting in the swing state.
• Elon Musk distributed $2 million to Wisconsin voters in exchange for petition signatures — On March 30, billionaire Elon Musk gave away two checks for $1 million each to individuals who attended his rally for Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel and signed a petition against "activist judges." Musk circumvented Wisconsin law prohibiting exchange of items of value for voting by claiming the checks were for "spokesperson agreements." Video evidence linked one recipient's vote directly to Musk's payment, with the recipient stating she did "exactly what Elon Musk told everyone to do: sign the petition, refer friends and family, vote, and now I have a million dollars." The second $1 million check went to the chair of the Wisconsin College Republicans, who has worked for Republican campaigns.
• Elon Musk spent nearly $20 million on Wisconsin Supreme Court race and held rally — Billionaire Elon Musk invested approximately $20 million in support of Brad Schimel's Wisconsin Supreme Court candidacy. On March 30, Musk traveled to Wisconsin and held a rally for Schimel, where he stated the election could determine "the future of America and Western Civilization" and warned that a court with opponent Susan Crawford would redraw gerrymandered districts and "add seats for Democrats." Musk's spending and rhetoric framed a state judicial election as a national existential contest.
• Appellate court declined to block Musk's million-dollar giveaways in Wisconsin election — An appellate court declined to hear an emergency request filed by Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul to block Elon Musk from handing out million-dollar giveaways in an attempt to buy votes in the state's key Supreme Court election scheduled for Tuesday. The court stated that Kaul had not filed or supported his motion properly, forcing them to deny the request.
• Brad Schimel distanced himself from Musk's election interference — Republican candidate Brad Schimel, facing backlash over Musk's vote-buying scheme in Wisconsin's Supreme Court election, suddenly decided to distance himself from Musk. When asked if he would be at Musk's rally where he was handing out two separate million-dollar checks, Schimel responded: "We have no plans to be there. We have a very aggressive campaign calendar. I have no idea what he's doing. I have no idea what this rally is."
• Kid Rock endorsed Brad Schimel in Wisconsin Supreme Court election — Kid Rock endorsed Republican candidate Brad Schimel in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election this weekend.
• Elon Musk distributes $1 million checks to petition signers opposing judges — After the Wisconsin State Supreme Court refused to hear a challenge to Elon Musk's lottery, Musk handed out two $1 million checks to voters who signed a petition opposing "activist" judges. The distribution occurred on March 30 and appears designed to reward political opposition to judicial decisions.
• Elon Musk held rally for Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel — Elon Musk held a rally in Wisconsin supporting Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel, where he made hyperbolic claims about the stakes of the election and responded to protesters by claiming George Soros paid them to attend. Musk stated that if his candidate did not win, human civilization would end. The rally featured paid attendees, each compensated $100 by Musk to be present.
• Musk announced $1 million payment scheme for Wisconsin Supreme Court election — Elon Musk announced a vote-buying scheme offering $1 million payments to individuals who help mobilize voters for Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel. The first recipient was identified as the President of the Wisconsin College Republicans. Musk claimed winners were selected randomly by lottery, though no independent observers were present during the selection process.
• Musk announced $20 payment scheme for Wisconsin Supreme Court election — At 3:25 AM, Elon Musk announced a new payment scheme offering $20 per person to individuals who could recruit Wisconsin voters to hold pictures of Brad Schimel and give a thumbs-up gesture, with participants potentially earning over $1,000 per day. The scheme did not require participants to be Wisconsin residents, only to recruit people within the state.