Elon Musk’s attempt to sway the outcome of Tuesday’s Wisconsin state Supreme Court election has ended in a humiliating defeat for Republican candidate Brad Schimel. Despite spending $22 million on advertising and rallies, Schimel lost to Democrat Susan Crawford by a significant margin.
Musk’s involvement in the race was seen as an attempt to make him the face of the campaign, but it ultimately backfired. His over-the-top rhetoric and actions only served to highlight his absurdity and alienate voters who are increasingly turned off by his behavior.
The outcome of the election serves as a reminder that money can’t buy success in American politics. Despite being outspent by Crawford’s campaign, Musk’s efforts may not have been enough to sway the votes. The election also highlights the importance of voter turnout and the need for campaigns to engage with voters beyond their online presence.
The loss is a blow to the Republican Party’s chances of maintaining control in Wisconsin, but it’s unlikely to be a significant setback for them. However, it does underscore the limits of influence that even wealthy donors like Musk can exert on election outcomes.
The defeat also serves as a warning to other politicians who may try to emulate Musk’s tactics. His involvement in the election highlighted the dangers of relying too heavily on social media and billionaire endorsements to win elections. Instead, campaigns need to focus on building relationships with voters and engaging in meaningful dialogue with the public.
Ultimately, Musk’s failure in Wisconsin is a reminder that there are still limits to what can be accomplished through sheer force of personality and wealth. Even for billionaires like Musk, there are some things that cannot be bought or achieved through self-promotion alone.
Source: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/04/elon-musk-wisconsin-state-supreme-court-election.html