Elon Musk’s attempt to influence the outcome of a State Supreme Court race in Wisconsin ended in defeat on Tuesday, with his efforts to tilt the election towards Republicans falling short. The billionaire investor poured an estimated $20 million into the campaign, but Democratic voters swamped the polls, handing his preferred candidate a narrow loss.
Musk’s failure serves as a reminder that money isn’t everything in politics. Despite his significant investment, he was unable to secure victory. This setback comes as the stakes are high for both parties ahead of next year’s midterm elections. The outcome of special elections like Wisconsin’s can provide valuable insights into the political landscape and inform party strategies.
The turnout in this off-year contest was remarkable, with a voter turnout close to levels seen during last year’s presidential election. However, the majority of voters who participated were from Democratic-leaning counties, suggesting that Musk’s efforts may not have resonated as widely as expected.
Democrats are hailing these results as a warning shot from the American people, indicating that voters are eager to reject the Trump administration’s agenda and its allies like Musk. For Republicans in swing districts, Musk’s failure is seen as an opportunity to limit potential damage with independent voters they need to win.
While it remains unclear whether Musk will take heed of these warnings, his unpredictability has been a hallmark of his recent forays into politics. His reaction to the election was relatively subdued compared to previous comments, which suggests he may be reevaluating his approach to politics and public engagement.
Meanwhile, other news is unfolding in the world of politics and policy. The Trump administration has laid off the entire staff running a $4.1 billion program aimed at helping low-income households with heating bills. Some $378 million approved by Congress remains unallocated due to the staffing changes.
In another development, Musk’s social media presence has been quiet following the election, after he previously used his platform to share his views on politics and policy. His recent comments suggest a shift towards more focused discussions on artificial intelligence and other business-related topics.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/us/politics/musk-wisconsin-supreme-court.html