GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Preparations are now underway in Green Bay for the arrival of President Donald Trump’s billionaire backer and senior advisor, Elon Musk.
On Sunday, all eyes in the political world will be on Green Bay as Elon Musk will hold a town hall just days ahead of the pivotal state Supreme Court election and award two voters, who were selected by signing a petition from his America PAC against activist judges, $1 million checks.
Local Republicans say they’re already excited.
“I think seeing Elon Musk in person and participating in this is just an incredible time for our country and for our state. You know he is one of the most important figures in our country. He is a historical figure for what he has accomplished,” says Doug Reich, the chairman of the Republican Party of Brown County.
One person receiving a check has been identified as Scott Ainsworth of Green Bay, while the other is still unknown.
The giveaway has drawn criticism from Democrats, and state Attorney General Josh Kaul, whose request for an injunction was refused by a Columbia County judge Saturday and then the appeal filed by Kaul was denied just hours later.
Democrats say they will protest Sunday night.
“At the end of the day, I just truly believe that our Wisconsin is not for sale. And that just because you have a lot of money, it doesn’t mean that you should be able to have the outcomes of elections that you demand. And that we need to make sure that everyone is following the same playbook,” says Assembly District 90 Democratic Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner.
Musk’s America PAC, the organizers of the town hall, posted on social media saying: “Entrance is limited to those who have signed the petition in opposition to activist judges.”
Musk and Donald Trump Jr. both posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday about the campaign and its impact, not just on Wisconsin, but the entire country.
They’re backing Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel over Dane County Judge Susan Crawford.
Schimel was asked while campaigning in Milwaukee whether he thinks Musk is a distraction.
“He’s doing what he’s doing. I don’t control him. The only distraction is, you know, at media gaggles, where I’m getting asked about this all the time. On a campaign trail, voters, they’re just focusing on what this race is about. It’s about public safety, it’s about restoring objectivity in the court. I’m not distracted by it,” said Schimel.
Sunday night’s event is scheduled to start at 6:30.
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