Archived social media posts from Nicholas Jacobs, a student Republican operative who received a $1m check from Elon Musk, reveal his extensive involvement in Republican election activities over the past year. Jacobs not only worked to elect Donald Trump but also supported other Republican candidates in the state.
These candidates included Eric Hovde, a failed Republican senate candidate from Wisconsin; first-term congressman Tony Wied; incumbent Milwaukee Republican vice-chair Brett Galaszewski; and Brad Schimel, a state supreme court candidate backed by Musk who received significant financial support from him.
Jacobs’ receipt of the $1m check was part of a larger $25m investment made by Musk and organizations he funds. This amount represents a substantial portion of the unprecedented $80m spent on the technically nonpartisan judicial election in Wisconsin.
Initially, Musk justified the $1m checks as a gesture of appreciation for individuals who took the time to vote. However, he later reframed the giveaways as a petition against activist judges, raising questions about the legalities under local voting rights and bribery laws.
The Wisconsin race was viewed as a test of Trump’s popularity and Musk’s influence on elections. Despite Musk’s involvement, his preferred candidate ultimately lost amidst public outcry over his intervention in the local state race.
Jacobs, who serves as the chair of the Wisconsin College Republicans, voiced objections on his since-locked X account to Republicans who supported constitutional amendments banning outside organizations from state elections. He argued that external support would benefit Republicans in defeating Democrats.
The controversy surrounding Musk’s significant financial influence on the state-level election comes as he continues to advocate for reducing the federal government’s role through his Doge agency.
Despite outreach from The Guardian, neither the Wisconsin College Republicans nor Elon Musk responded to requests for comment regarding this report.
Jacobs received his check at an event hosted by Musk. By the following day, local media had identified him as a beneficiary. This revelation led to speculation that the giveaway might have favored party workers over ordinary voters.
Examination of Jacobs’ archived posts on his locked X account reveals his strong public advocacy for Republican candidates at national, state, and local levels.
One of the candidates he supported, Eric Hovde, faced incumbent Democrat Tammy Baldwin in the November 2024 election for a U.S. Senate seat in Wisconsin. Jacobs publicly endorsed both Trump and Hovde, urging his followers to vote for them.
Days before the election, Jacobs continued his advocacy by canvassing for Hovde and Trump. Hovde ultimately lost the election.
Jacobs’ public promotion of Republican candidates continued right up to the recent election. Just a week before the election, he posted about voting for Brad Schimel and Brittany Kinser. Schimel, the Republican-backed supreme court candidate, faced liberation Susan Crawford, who emerged victorious in an election that has invigorated the Democratic Party both locally and nationally, following their losses to Trump in 2024.
Kinser, an advocate for charter schools and education vouchers, competed for superintendent of public instruction but also lost her race.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/04/nicholas-jacobs-check-musk-wisconsin-republican
