Deceptive Ads and the Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: A Closer Look

Introduction: The Role of Billionaires in Shaping Politics

In the run-up to the pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court election, a mysterious group called Progress 2028 has been flooding social media and text messages with ads that appear to support Democratic-backed candidate Judge Susan Crawford. These ads, however, are not what they seem. Uncovered reports revealed that the group is actually backed by none other than billionaire Elon Musk, and their true intent is far from benevolent. This covert operation is just the latest example of how wealthy donors are influencing politics, often through deceptive tactics.

The Ads: A Closer Examination

At first glance, the ads seem to champion Susan Crawford as a progressive hero, highlighting her stance on issues like immigration, abortion, and criminal justice reform. They paint her as a “progressive champion” who will "stand up for immigrants" and defend Planned Parenthood. However, beneath the surface, these ads are designed to undermine Crawford’s appeal to moderate and conservative voters by amplifying her progressive credentials. The language used in the ads is carefully crafted to alienate those who might otherwise consider her a viable candidate.

The ads are not just misleading in their messaging—they are also misattributed. While they appear to come from Progress 2028, Meta’s ad library reveals that the funding comes from Building America’s Future, a conservative group with deep ties to Musk. This tactic is not new; the same group used a similar strategy last year against Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, spreading false claims about her policies.

Elon Musk’s Growing Influence in Politics

Elon Musk’s involvement in this race is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The billionaire has become an increasingly influential figure in Republican politics, pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into campaigns and causes aligned with the party. In Wisconsin, Musk’s America PAC has already spent over $3.2 million to support Crawford’s Republican opponent, Brad Schimel, a former Wisconsin Attorney General. Additionally, Building America’s Future has invested $2 million into the race, further solidifying Musk’s role as a key player in this high-stakes election.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court race is not just about local issues; it has significant implications for national politics. The court is set to hear major cases on abortion, union rights, election law, and redistricting, all of which could shape the outcome of the 2028 presidential election. By investing heavily in this race, Musk and other conservative donors are attempting to shift the ideological balance of the court in their favor.

A History of Deception: Building America’s Future

This is not the first time Building America’s Future has engaged in deceptive advertising. Last year, the group ran fake ads in Michigan and Pennsylvania that misleadingly portrayed Kamala Harris’s stance on Israel, tailoring the message differently for Arab American and Jewish voters. The ads were so convincing that even some conservatives were fooled, with one lobbyist questioning whether the ads were funded by liberal donor George Soros.

The group’s tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They used a fictitious name, Progress 2028, to create a website and run ads that appeared to support Crawford. However, the ads were actually designed to damage her reputation by overemphasizing her progressive credentials. This strategy relies on the assumption that moderate voters will be turned off by Crawford’s perceived liberalism.

The Impact on the Election and Beyond

The timing of these ads is particularly critical, as early voting in Wisconsin is set to begin soon. Many voters still do not have a clear opinion about Crawford, according to a recent Marquette University Law School poll. This makes the race highly susceptible to influence from outside groups like Building America’s Future.

Crawford’s campaign has been quick to denounce the ads as deceptive and dishonest. Spokesperson Derrick Honeyman called out Musk for his involvement, accusing him of trying to buy the election by supporting Schimel. Meanwhile, Crawford’s own donors, including prominent liberals like George Soros and Gloria Page, have poured millions into her campaign, ensuring that the race remains competitive.

Despite the sophistication of the ads, political analysts like Barry Burden of the University of Wisconsin-Madison believe they may have limited impact. The messaging is subtle, requiring voters to make connections between the ads and Crawford’s policies. Given that the ads are not overtly negative, they may fail to sway voters who are already informed about the race.

Conclusion: The Bigger Picture

The situation in Wisconsin is a microcosm of a much larger issue: the influence of billionaire donors on American politics. As the 2028 presidential election approaches, cases like this remind us of the high stakes involved and the lengths to which wealthy individuals and groups will go to shape the political landscape. While the outcome of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the integrity of our democratic processes is under threat when voters are misled by deceptive ads and covert tactics.