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GREEN BAY ― Elon Musk wasn't kept away from Green Bay by Sunday's wintry mix and resultant poor flying conditions. His supporters and detractors were similarly undeterred.
After cordially brushing past each other with anti-Musk signs and Make America Great Again caps in the Main Street parking ramp stairwells, Musk enthusiasts and protesters separated into their respective camps in front of the KI Convention Center where the South African billionaire was scheduled to speak Sunday.
On the west side of the KI: supporters of Musk who encouraged them to vote for Republican Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel. On the street's east side: about 400 protesters, many holding banners with various plays-on-words of Musk's name showing their distaste for his involvement in what has become the most expensive Wisconsin Supreme Court election in history.
Protesters gather on Sunday at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay. Musk held the event to drive turnout for Tuesday’s state Supreme Court election.
"When I feel like Musk is tampering in our election, I just couldn't sit at home," said Emily Rogers of De Pere, there with her husband who in that moment traded heated words with Musk supporters across the street.
Following Musk's announcement that he would personally hand out two $1 million checks in Green Bay, protests originally intended against Schimel pivoted their aim to the man who has become Schimel's biggest donor and the single largest donor in the entire election. Schimel canceled a previously scheduled Sunday event in the Green Bay area and distanced himself from Musk's event, saying, "I have no idea what he's doing. I have no idea what this rally is."
Protesters were unconvinced by Schimel's remarks and, alongside banners that spelled out "WI Not For Sale," unfurled an oversized "For Sale: Brad Schimel" sign that was featured during the Waukesha judge's appearance with former Gov. Scott Walker in Allouez. Individual demonstrators brought out their own pun-filled signs largely targeted at Musk, including "I smell a Musk(rat)," "I hate the smell of musk in the voting booth," and "Stop the Steal on Elon."
Their signs drew stares from some Musk supporters who observed from the Main Street parking ramp's narrow stairwell.
Protesters line the sidewalk Sunday, March 30, 2025, across the street from the KI Convention Center in Green Bay where Elon Musk is scheduled to hold a town hall.
"What do you stand for, wasteful spending?" a Musk event attendee yelled across at the protesters, one of whom responded, "I stand for America and lower prices!" The protesters later said, "USA! USA!" — a chant that both camps repeatedly used in the several hours leading up to Musk's event. A Tesla Cybertruck repeatedly circled the venue, drawing the ire of Musk protesters and cheers from Musk supporters.
The rain quickly turned into snow that made some Musk attendees who had waited for several hours return to their cars, as did many protesters. Some still stayed put by the time Musk's event was scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m., as did many Musk attendees who were still in line.
Protesters gather on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Wis. Musk held the event to drive turnout for Tuesday’s state Supreme Court election between Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Jesse Lin is a reporter covering the community of Green Bay and its surroundings, as well as politics in northeastern Wisconsin. Contact him at 920-834-4250 or jlin@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: 400 turn out to protest Elon Musk's town hall in downtown Green Bay
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