Donald Trump’s return to the White House is already facing major hurdles, as seen in a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race that delivered an unexpected blow to his administration.
Despite a well-funded effort backed by billionaire Elon Musk, voters chose to elect a liberal judge, shifting the court’s ideological balance.
A Mixed Night for Trump
While Trump secured victories in two congressional races in Florida, maintaining Republican control in those districts, the Wisconsin outcome proved to be the real test of his influence.
His endorsement of conservative candidate Brad Schimel fell short, with liberal judge Susan Crawford emerging victorious.
Curiously, Trump did not directly acknowledge this setback.
Instead, he took to his social media platform, TruthSocial, to highlight a separate Wisconsin ballot initiative that requires voter ID for elections.
“Voter I.D. just approved in Wisconsin election… this is a big win for Republicans, maybe the biggest win of the night,” he posted, seemingly shifting attention away from Schimel’s defeat.
Musk’s High-Stakes Gamble
Elon Musk played a significant role in Trump’s push to install Schimel on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
The billionaire, who has championed Trump’s aggressive cost-cutting and government overhaul, traveled to Wisconsin to campaign in person.
During a conversation on his social media platform X, Musk framed the election as a battle of historic importance.
“It’s like one of those strange situations where a seemingly small election would determine the fate of Western civilization here,” he remarked.
His efforts mirrored his previous strategy to boost Trump’s chances against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the presidential election.
Musk even resorted to handing out cash to those who signed petitions opposing what he called “activist judges.”
However, despite pouring millions into Schimel’s campaign, Musk remained silent on the loss, merely celebrating the voter ID law’s passage with a simple “Yeah!” post on X.
The Power Struggle Behind the Bench
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race was more than just a local election—it was a battle for control over critical state decisions, including voting district boundaries.
Liberal and conservative forces funneled massive amounts of money into the race, making it the most expensive judicial election in U.S. history.
Schimel and his supporters spent a staggering $53.3 million, with Musk alone contributing $12.2 million through his America PAC.
Meanwhile, Crawford’s campaign and allies raised around $45.1 million, underscoring the high stakes of this judicial contest.
Florida’s Republican Stronghold Holds Firm
While Wisconsin delivered an upset, Florida remained a safe zone for Trump’s Republican Party.
Two House seats, previously held by Trump allies, were up for grabs, and both were retained by GOP candidates.
Republican Randy Fine secured Florida’s sixth district, prompting Trump to post, “Congratulations Randy, a great WIN against a massive CASH AVALANCHE.”
Soon after, Republican Jimmy Patronis was declared the winner in Florida’s first district.
Trump wasted no time taking credit for these victories, boasting that his endorsement “proved far greater than the Democrats’ forces of evil.”
What’s Next for Democrats?
Democrats, still reeling from losing both the presidency and Congress in November, had hoped for a resurgence.
While Florida didn’t bring the turnaround they wanted—losing both races by double-digit margins—the closer-than-expected results had Democratic leaders feeling optimistic.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told MSNBC that shrinking Republican leads should make the GOP nervous.
The Ethics of Big Money in Elections
Musk’s financial involvement in Wisconsin elections has sparked controversy.
His Green Bay rally drew enthusiastic supporters, but it also faced fierce pushback.
At a pro-Crawford event, one protester held a sign depicting Musk giving a straight-armed salute, with the message: “Our Supreme Court is not for sale.”
This raises a broader question—should billionaires be allowed to pour millions into elections, or even offer cash incentives to voters? The Wisconsin race has ignited a debate over the role of money in democracy, and it’s a conversation that isn’t going away anytime soon.