Musk-funded America PAC goes door to door for Wisconsin Supreme Court

Apnews - Mar 31st, 2025

Elon Musk, through America PAC, is playing a significant role in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, backing conservative candidate Brad Schimel against liberal Susan Crawford. Musk's PAC has invested over $4.3 million in canvassing efforts across Wisconsin to mobilize voters, in addition to other campaign activities like mail and phone-banking. The PAC's influence in the race is notable due to its extensive voter outreach efforts and Musk's personal involvement, which includes a rally in Green Bay where he called for heightened voter mobilization.

The implications of this race are profound as the Wisconsin Supreme Court is poised to rule on critical issues such as abortion rights and voting rules, which could impact future elections. Musk's involvement underscores his growing influence in Republican politics, aligning closely with President Trump. The race is marked by high financial stakes, becoming the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history, as it attracts significant spending from both conservative and liberal donors, with Musk and America PAC leading the conservative charge.

Elon Musk Campaign Finance Wisconsin Supreme Court America Pac Susan Crawford Brad Schimel Judicial Elections Voter Mobilization

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.0

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant exploration of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, highlighting the significant involvement of Elon Musk and America PAC. It effectively captures the public interest by addressing the influence of money in politics and the potential implications for governance and judicial decisions. However, the article could benefit from more balanced reporting, as it predominantly focuses on the activities of conservative figures without equally exploring liberal perspectives. While it presents clear and accessible information, the lack of transparency in sourcing and methodology, along with limited source diversity, affects the overall reliability and depth of the reporting. The story has the potential to provoke meaningful discussions about campaign finance and the role of influential individuals in politics, but its impact could be enhanced with more comprehensive and balanced coverage.

Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims that are generally supported by available information, such as Elon Musk's involvement through America PAC in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The claim that America PAC has spent significant amounts on canvassing aligns with known figures, though precise amounts like the $4.3 million spent on canvassing need verification. The story accurately reflects Musk's public statements about the importance of the race, as well as the reported $17 million total expenditure by groups linked to Musk. However, details about the petition incentives and their legality require further verification to ensure comprehensive accuracy.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the activities and strategies of Elon Musk and America PAC, providing substantial detail on their efforts and expenditures. While it mentions opposition from liberal figures such as George Soros and JB Pritzker, the coverage of their activities and perspectives is less detailed. This imbalance might lead readers to perceive a bias favoring the conservative side, as the liberal perspective is not as thoroughly explored or documented.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, providing a coherent narrative about the election and the involvement of Elon Musk. It uses straightforward language, making the complex political strategies accessible to a general audience. However, the dense presentation of financial figures and campaign strategies could be overwhelming without additional context or breakdowns for clarity.

Source quality

The article relies on statements from individuals like Brian Schimming, the state Republican chairman, and mentions data from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. However, it lacks direct quotes or data from independent or opposing sources that could provide a more rounded view. The reliance on partisan figures without additional corroboration from neutral entities limits the perceived reliability and depth of the reporting.

Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose its sources beyond mentioning some organizations and individuals, nor does it explain the methodology behind the financial figures presented. There is a lack of transparency regarding how the information was gathered or verified, which could impact the reader's ability to assess the impartiality and accuracy of the claims made.