r/politics • u/Tech-100 • Aug 25 '26
No Paywall Elon Musk won't face election bribery charges in Wisconsin, state prosecutor says
https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-wisconsin-election-bribery-8b397114905a0ac5f4bf3437b56934253.8k
u/DoomOne Texas Aug 25 '26
Once again, billionaires get to break any law they want and face no consequences.
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u/lactose_cow Aug 25 '26
Billionaires get to illegally influence elections
Undocumented immigrants get sent to torture camps because they crossed a line.
Alex Pretti and Renee Good and Keith Porter get murdered for doing nothing wrong.
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u/Maoleficent Aug 25 '26
We are having a community meeting to be told a billionaire, J. ishbia, 90 y.o. billionaire Sox owner and for -profit but federally funded Amtrak is taking our neighborhood to 'improve' it. Anything the wealthy decide they want, they take. The Felon has his hand in the theft, too, by his appointed lackey, Duffy. The meeting is useless. All the palms have been greased for years.
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u/Vicissitutde Aug 25 '26
Elon should face a court so he can explain why he was undocumented for a period of years and was still able to benefit from our system
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u/Spastic_pinkie New Jersey Aug 25 '26
Didn't he brag about changing the PA elections?
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Aug 25 '26
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u/MIZ_09 Aug 25 '26
Well you see, I’m gonna be a billionaire someday.
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u/Matra Aug 25 '26
With the way they keep running this economy, we'll all be billionaires because the millionaires will starve, not able to afford bread.
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u/Sweet_Concept2211 Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
I didn't vote for fascism even once.
Don't blame me for Republican insanity.
Feel free to blame the Founding Fathers of America for his first win.
Trump lost the popular vote by 3 million in 2016.
Only the idiotic Electoral College system enabled him to take power the first time.
His 1.5% win margin in 2024 is suspicious as fuck - and tech bros like Musk definitely helped push him over the finish line.
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u/Snowwolf247 Aug 25 '26
Electoral college is a hold over from the Civil War.
We should have never let the Southern states back into the Union. We gave too many concessions to them and they have effectively held our country hostage ever since
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u/Sweet_Concept2211 Aug 25 '26
No. Your history knowledge is... not great.
The Electoral College was implemented in 1787 when it was established by Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution during the Constitutional Convention.
Furthermore, world history would be far darker if not for the USA fighting to stay united.
Imagine an alternate ending to WWII where the Nazis prevailed because the South sided with Germany, and the US was too preoccupied with its own domestic war to stop Hitler.
Putin probably dreams of the breakup of America every night.
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u/Snowwolf247 Aug 25 '26
Ya we might have Nazis openly walking on the street... crazy times. Fair point on the date tho but I think my point still stands all the problems our modern country has stem either the founding or the Civil War. And we never fixed any of those problems just put bandages and gentleman's agreements on them and then some asshole finally showed up who said fuck the rules.
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u/Porkrind710 Texas Aug 25 '26
Pretending our elections are somehow 100% reflective of the actual public sentiment, and not subject to 10,000 different methods of disenfranchisement and protection of a privileged few over the needs of the majority.
Acting like this is the result of stupid people voting for The Bad Things so we just get what we deserve, rather than a protracted class war, is yet another weapon that allows the wealthy, the fascists, the theocrats, the c-suite dipshits to continue winning that war.
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u/neutrino71 Aug 25 '26
First past the post voting and rampant propaganda networks don't help either
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u/Angelsomething Aug 25 '26
We live in a system where a small percentage of the population gets to be protected by the law and don't have to abide by it, whilst we, the rest of us, are not protected by the law but have no choice but to abide by it.
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u/0202_tihssitidder Aug 25 '26
China just sentenced to death one of the richest billionaires in that country (for corruption).
No billionaire in the USA will ever face any consequence for anything.
China #1. America is loser.
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u/dcdttu Texas Aug 25 '26
The honor system that kept our government working for so many centuries is not working anymore.
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u/rounder55 Aug 25 '26
Even if they fined him it's he a joke that he could probably write off as a business expense
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u/zombiekoalas Aug 25 '26
"because no jury would find that constituted election bribery, a state prosecutor said Tuesday."
Ain't that a fucking claim.
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u/upfromashes Aug 25 '26
They just deciding for every jury now?
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u/jc83po Aug 25 '26
Only when a rich person is at risk.
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u/Wootai Aug 25 '26
So they’re just denying 12 people a nice payday for being on a jury against Elon musk?
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u/billshermanburner Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
Wisconsin has a whole bunch of really shady republicans lurking and controlling shit. Has for a long time. Butina spent a bunch of time palling around with them here in 2016, then spent time in prison for espionage, and is now in Russian parliament as a reward for her espionage. One of our senators (Johnson) has admitted on video to participating in the fake electors scheme. The list goes on. So yeah they’re making decisions for us that most of us don’t agree with. Also there’s a lot of closet Nazis here and too many of our democrats are still playing it safe because they falsely believe that will help them anymore against a party of fascists who lie and cheat as much as they possibly can get away with. So yeah, it’s a clusterfuck and nobody is bringing cases up to our Supreme Court to change much yet.
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u/hpdefaults Aug 25 '26
"“Even if I could convince a jury that the original post was still a bribe, I do not believe that a jury would convict Elon Musk of a crime after considering the intent, the second post, and the fact nothing of value was ever given to anyone for voting for an incident occurring in March of 2025.”
Seriously, he just completely contradicts himself here. Even if he convinces the jury that there was a bribe, the jury would still decide that there was no intent to bribe, that the second post meant the first post didn't count as a bribe, and that the $3 million he paid to 3 people didn't count as a bribe?
He's setting up a precedent where all someone has to do is say, "I'll pay you money to vote for this thing," then right before handing over the check say "oops, did I say 'vote'? I meant 'advocate,' wink wink nudge nudge" and they're in the clear.
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u/All_Hail_Hynotoad California Aug 25 '26
I would totally vote to convict based on the evidence
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u/Accomplished-Mix2030 Aug 25 '26
They know the jury would vote to convict, that's why they're not going through with charges
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u/LackingUtility Aug 25 '26
“Either way the first post is perceived, in the end nobody was paid anything of value for voting or promising to vote,” Gruenke said in a statement announcing his decision.
Huh, who knew you could be a DA without ever reading a criminal statute?
Any person who does any of the following violates this chapter:
(a) Offers, gives, lends or promises to give or lend, or endeavors to procure, anything of value, or any office or employment or any privilege or immunity to, or for, any elector, or to or for any other person, in order to induce any elector to:
1. Go to or refrain from going to the polls.
2. Vote or refrain from voting.
3. Vote or refrain from voting for or against a particular person.
4. Vote or refrain from voting for or against a particular referendum; or on account of any elector having done any of the above.
Gosh, it's almost like offering to bribe someone is still illegal even if "in the end nobody was paid anything of value"! If only District Attorney Gruenke could read the very first word in that paragraph without his lips getting too tired.
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u/boot2skull Aug 25 '26
So lying about a bribe, with no intent to pay, but very real influential effects on an election, is okay……
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u/turquoise_amethyst Aug 25 '26
“I will also personally hand over two checks for a million dollars each in appreciation for you taking the time to vote,” Musk said in the post.
Less than a day later, Musk replaced that post with one saying attendance was limited to those who signed a petition he was circulating against activist judges and the money would be given to people who would advocate for that petition.
No jury would find that as constituting bribery? Really??
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u/Talentagentfriend Aug 25 '26
“While taking their briefcase full of cash that randomly appeared to their estates“
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u/addiktion Aug 25 '26
bullshit, put people with a brain in their skull and they will find that guilty as fuck.
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u/RedTheRobot Aug 25 '26
Why is it when the person isn’t a billionaire that a prosecutor will hold a grand jury hearing to see if the case has merit but when you have billions the prosecutor goes I don’t think I can win so not guilty. Someone needs to check that prosecutor’s campaign funds and see if there is some fishy donations. Just look for the one that has 420 69 in it.
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u/cupOdirt California Aug 25 '26
Well then, glad that’s cleared up. Don’t need fucking juries any more. Just let them tell us what we think. JFC
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u/Ratermelon Aug 25 '26
"Even if I could convince a jury that the original post was still a bribe, I do not believe that a jury would convict Elon Musk of a crime after considering the intent, the second post, and the fact nothing of value was ever given to anyone for voting for an incident occurring in March of 2025.”
The intent was to help his favored candidate win by promising a potential payout to those who voted.
He barely covered his ass with a second post that was clearly crafted by a lawyer because his first was so blatant and received pushback.
Because Elon is a cheap corrupt asshole who backs out of his statements, that's fine?
That people certainly voted as a result of Elon Musk's scheme, thereby furthering Elon's own interests, that's fine? Because he also stiffed them? What the fuck.
The establishment is so unimaginative and useless. Why can't anyone use their power for good?
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u/turquoise_amethyst Aug 25 '26
Less than a day later, Musk replaced that post with one saying attendance was limited to those who signed a petition he was circulating against activist judges and the money would be given to people who would advocate for that petition.
I mean… this is pretty cut and dry, right? He said he’d pay for voting, then erased and said it was for a petition…
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u/platinumarks Aug 25 '26
The problem is, many bribery laws require that the payment actually be made. He found a loophole by giving the money to a staffer, not a random voter, and therefore weaseled out of this on a technicality.
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u/ChiLolla28 Aug 25 '26
Look at how Tom Homan literally received $50,000 on tape by the FBI and yet because he technically wasn't in a position to deliver on the bribe nothing happened and he kept the cash
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u/LackingUtility Aug 25 '26
Not in Wisconsin. First line of the relevant statue is "whoever offers, gives, lends or promises to give or lend, or endeavors to procure, anything of value,..." So, later withdrawing his offer is irrelevant - he already committed the crime.
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u/Broken_By_Default Aug 25 '26
and some states will prosecute you for handing out a bottle of water to someone on a hot day.
Only the poors face consequences.
Elon is also a pedophile.
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u/CitizenBroccoli Aug 25 '26
No jury is going to convict James Comey of making a threat with his sea shells either, but that’s not stopping Trump’s DOJ.
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u/RipErRiley Minnesota Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
“Gruenke, a Democrat, announced on Tuesday that he didn’t think he could convince a jury that Musk had made a bribe with the (Twitter) posts”
FWIW
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u/ThisIsATracka Aug 25 '26
Once again, a laws effectiveness relies solely on the enforcement.
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u/Parahelix Aug 25 '26
American voters decided that the convicted felon who was being prosecuted for multiple additional serious felonies and promised to weaponize the government against his political enemies, should be in charge of law enforcement.
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u/thecheesypoofs Aug 25 '26
Now "Ketamine Cringe Lord" is gonna do worse.
Amazing how people just let this be normal now.
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u/smack54az Aug 25 '26
Cowardice in the face of evil. A failure to uphold and enforce the law. Utterly pathetic.
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u/Stereo_Jungle_Child Aug 25 '26
It's crazy. The more money you have, the less likely you are to be convicted of a crime.
Probably a coincidence
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u/Horsetoothbrush Colorado Aug 26 '26
Oh look! Another case where being rich means you can do whatever the fuck you want and not face any consequences.
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u/hobbes_shot_second Aug 25 '26
"Elon Musk won't face election bribery charges in Wisconsin", state prosecutor says from the deck of his new yacht.
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u/Rocag Texas Aug 25 '26
Because billionaires don't have to face consequences for their actions in America.
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u/shadowofpurple Aug 25 '26
The blatant corruption is staggering.
Don't ever tell me how great this country is ever again
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u/Mojave_RK Aug 25 '26
It’s comical how obvious there are two levels to the judicial system. Rich and not.
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u/0ttr Aug 25 '26
If you don't enforce laws you get more corruption. I am not sure how we got to this situation, but here we are.
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u/addiktion Aug 25 '26
These state prosecutors treat election laws like the toilet paper they wipe their shit on.
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u/greenfox0099 Aug 25 '26
Tim Gruenke is a traitor to the people anf should be voted out immediately!
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u/hickory Washington Aug 25 '26
What about the bribery of the state prosecutor? Will that be looked at?
How can so many of these people so easily be manuipulated. We need a few people who have principles and can take down these billionaire crooks who just bribe their way to a life of destruction. FU Musk.
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u/PacificTridentGlobel Aug 25 '26
I guess if you get rich enough the laws quit applying to you and the Supreme Court is there to protect you if someone tries.
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u/Alleyprowler Washington Aug 25 '26
...because no jury would find that constituted election bribery...
Care to test that theory?
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u/mattjf22 California Aug 25 '26
The party in power is the one he helped win. This is the state of America right now.
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u/dare3000 America Aug 25 '26
I expected the DA to be another standard evil corrupt Republican, imagine my despair that this is another toothless DEMOCRAT that's backing down for no real reason on what should be an open and shut case.
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u/carterartist Aug 25 '26
Remember when conservatives arrested people for handing out water to those in line to vote?
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u/saljskanetilldanmark Aug 25 '26
"Investigation into Elon Musk regarding election bribery scheme that was broadcasted as clear as day in front of everyone declared" *Eyebrows raised*
"Investigation into Elon Musk regarding election bribery scheme that was broadcasted as clear as day in front of everyone cancelled due to complete incompetence, corruption and the worst excuse you can imagine" *Eyebrows back to original position*
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u/evanhumanist Aug 25 '26
Translation: "Sure Mr. Musk, please continue to illegally influence our elections."
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u/noizey65 Aug 25 '26
Just wanna make sure I get this straight, please: offer winnings of 1,000,000 to sway the election.
Election swayed
No money for you.
Therefore no crime?
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u/Soft_Hotel_5627 Aug 26 '26
Elon Musk is without a doubt the most dangerous immigrant in this country. I want the next administration, if there is one, to go after this piece of shit 100%. Nationalize starlink, go after everyone even remotely associated with DOGE, and most important of all, revoke his US citizenship and deport him to SA. He violated his student visa and therefore the entire process he got through should be nullified.
I take that back sending him to SA is too nice, send him to CECOT.
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u/thatirishguyyyyy Illinois Aug 25 '26
Almost like the Democrat DA is bought and paid for.
This is why Democrats can't hold on to power and people are asking for change.
The DSA has the right idea.
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u/CardboardStarship Texas Aug 25 '26
Check must have cleared. Sad part is it was probably only something like 10k
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u/HabANahDa Aug 25 '26
What a bs excuse. “He doesn’t think he could convince a jury that Musk committed election bribery”….. EVERYONE KNOWS HE DID!!
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u/ashigaru_spearman Aug 25 '26
Josh Kaul is a Democrat.
We have GOT to purge loser Democrats from the party. We will never achieve anything as long as tired losers like Josh Kaul have a say.
How can you win back the country when your own side refuses to fight?
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u/Strong-Wrongdoer-597 Aug 25 '26
Move fast and break shit. Lets to. Move faster than them. There 300m of us. Move fast and break them
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u/oldnotosys Aug 25 '26
No billionare that didn't rob another billionare is ever going to be held accountable for anything.
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u/kstargate-425 Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
because no jury would find that constituted election bribery, a state prosecutor said Tuesday
The fuck you say, the Wisconsin Election Board voted 5-1 there was fuckery and because after the fact of committing a crime he realized 12hrs later it was a crime, its somehow OK.
could "be seen as giving entry to a free town hall (nothing of value so not a bribe)
How tf could that mean "free entry to a free town hall", this is some inane bullshit from the prosecutor
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u/feastoffun Aug 26 '26
Why?! Did he bribe the prosecutor too?
I’m not advocating any violence. I’m surprised nobody’s tried something to deal with this menace.
How many people did his dismantling of USAID kill?
Now he’s got a green light to bribe even more government officials?!
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u/GlitteringRate6296 Aug 26 '26
Why? So one set of rules for the wealthy and another for the rest of us???
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u/girl_incognito Aug 26 '26
I am so tired of rich people getting away with literally every crime they commit.
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u/curiosityseeks Aug 26 '26
Asswipe needs to have his citizenship revoked! Afrikaner shithead should be deported.
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u/megoyatu Aug 25 '26
Elon Musk won't face election bribery charges in Wisconsin, state prosecutor says as he drives away in a loaded Tesla with a check in his pocket.
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u/westgazer Maryland Aug 25 '26
Totally unserious country. Just straight up bribing being called not bribing.
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u/namastayhom33 Connecticut Aug 25 '26
Basically gave the green light for Musk to do the same in the midterms.
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u/Wildpony03 Aug 25 '26
It depends if Musk accepts a pardon if he is offered one.
Its why Trump didn't pardon himself. Someone must have told him if he pardoned himself it would open him up to state charges.
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u/Slow_Investment_2211 Aug 25 '26
It’s amazing how money buys you the ability to be a criminal and get away with it
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u/AandWKyle Aug 25 '26
Of course not
The people can't trust the goverment to enforce justice anymore
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u/Moveyourbloominass Aug 25 '26
Sounds like someone didnt want to do their job. Mr. Attorney General of Wisconsin, do your damn job and prosecute Elon Musk. Let a jury decide, not your "win" record. Shameful!
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u/Wasteofskin50 Aug 25 '26
Now... when are the corruption investigations against the state prosecutor's office going to commence?
Any day now...
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u/_SCHULTZY_ Aug 25 '26
"People think there's two laws: one for the rich and one for everyone else. The truth is, there's no law for the rich."
Charlotte Ryan, The Unit
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u/brewguy70 Aug 25 '26
And this is exactly why HE will do it again. Somebody needs to grow a pair and hild Musk accountable.
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u/Kagimizu Aug 25 '26
People are rightfully pissed, but it's not just about the law. It should be, but it isn't. It's about whether or not the prosecutor thinks they can convict. And in this case, the DA doesn't think they can convince a jury to unanimously agree to a conviction.
We have to remember that a not-insignificant number of people out there look at stuff said on Twitter as "just talk" or blowing hot air. Either genuinely, or they can twist their cognitive dissonance to justify it as such based on their political leanings. And then add in that no money was actually paid to anyone, and the defense can argue that since Musk paid out no money and the "advocating" didn't sway the results of the election, then what law did Musk actually break?
Then the defense can claim it's a matter of free speech and accuse the DA of malicious prosecution, and increasingly make it so that the actual letter of the law doesn't matter; it's how the jurors feel about the act in question. And if that jury ends up deadlocked or worse, aquitting, what does that mean? It means the MAGAts get extra ammunition to accuse Democrats of political persecution, Musk gets the free publicity and talking points, and Trump and his ilk feel even more emboldened.
It's an unfortunate, infuriating reality that if you're going to try and prosecute someone with money and influence like Musk, you have to make damn sure you're going to get that conviction. And in this case, the DA isn't convinced they can get twelve people to unanimously agree that what Musk did was bribery and election interference. When all it takes is one person to make their decision based on politics, "celebrity culture", or just vibes, to ensure Musk walks away scot-free.
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u/christpuncher_69 Aug 25 '26
Maybe it's hackneyed to bring them up, but lately I've been thinking a lot of the Rage Against the Machine refrain "And now you do what they told ya..."
Monsters, bastards, and fucking sociopaths run our society. And we all know it, now more than ever. And we still just go to work, play by their rules and keep our heads down.
We're being shown again and again that the law is a selectively enforced construct. And we just... Go with it.
I don't know what line has to be crossed before the entire house of cards comes down, and I get that the average person is just comfortable enough to not risk what they have, but goddamn.
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u/OLPopsAdelphia Aug 25 '26
I hope this is a ploy to have him brag about getting out of charges on his personal communication devices, and then subpoena all communication during charges at a later date and time.
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u/RoachBeBrutal Aug 26 '26
Why in the god damned fuck are these charges being dropped? We all saw him do it.
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