Trump "fires" Musk: reputational risks force the White House to reassess the tech oligarch's role in the team

On April 1, 2025, elections to the Wisconsin Supreme Court were held. The liberal candidate Susan M. Crawford, supported by Barack Obama and George Soros, defeated the conservative challenger Brad Schimel, supported by Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

Crawford's success allowed the Democrats to retain a majority on the court and, simultaneously, was a blow to the political influence of key donors to the Republican Party, including Elon Musk.

The businessman invested more than $21 million of his personal funds in Schimel's campaign, promising those who signed a petition against "activist judges" a chance to win 1 million.

Schimel's total campaign spending exceeded $53 million, making this the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, with total spending by both sides exceeding $98 million.