Dear John,

When Elon Musk hands out million-dollar checks to sway elections, that’s not democracy – that’s wealth inequality in action.

This isn’t just about one billionaire’s ego. It’s a stark illustration of how extreme wealth is being weaponized to drown out ordinary voices and hijack the political process. Musk’s latest stunt is a warning sign: if you have enough money, the rules don’t apply – and elections become just another thing for the rich to buy.

Thanks to the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United ruling, billionaires like Musk have been handed a blank check to influence our democracy. But even under this broken system, some legal lines still exist – and Musk brazenly crossed one.

In a blatant attempt to influence the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, Musk handed out $1 million checks to individuals who signed a petition and pledged to vote – a scheme that appears to directly violate federal election law which bans offering money or anything of value in exchange for voting.

This wasn’t free speech. It was a cash-for-votes scheme. And if left unchecked, it’s a blueprint for how billionaires can directly convert their wealth into political power – leaving the rest of us with no voice at all.

Tell the Federal Election Commission: Open an immediate investigation into Musk’s election interference. We must enforce the laws that still protect our elections – before they’re rendered meaningless by billionaire money.

Even worse, this wasn’t the only way Musk distorted Wisconsin’s (and America’s) democracy. Through his political groups, America PAC and Building America’s Future, he poured over $20 million into the race, turning it into the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history – all in a vain attempt to tip the scales in his favor.

Let’s call it what it is: a hostile takeover of democracy by the ultra-wealthy. And it’s the same rigged game we see across the board – where the top 0.1% use their fortunes to buy influence, rewrite laws, dodge taxes, and rig the economy in their favor. Economic inequality isn’t just about wages or wealth. It’s about who gets heard, who gets ignored, and who gets to make the rules.

Here’s the good news: he lost. The people of Wisconsin saw through his tactics and rejected Musk’s handpicked candidate. But that victory only matters if we act now to stop this from happening again.

This is about more than Elon Musk. It’s about whether democracy belongs to everyone — or just those rich enough to buy it.

Let’s make it clear: our elections are not lotteries with million dollar prizes. Demand an immediate investigation into Musk’s actions.

Thank you for insisting that our votes are not, and will never be, for sale.

Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action