Elon Musk Exits Politics After Wisconsin Court Loss/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Elon Musk says he’s dialing down political spending after a high-profile loss in Wisconsin. His handpicked state Supreme Court candidate was defeated, despite millions spent. Democrats say the backlash shows Musk has become politically toxic.
Musk’s Political Pullback: Quick Looks
- Musk spent over $20 million backing a Wisconsin court candidate.
- His favored judge lost by 10 points, despite major financial support.
- Musk was personally active, appearing in Green Bay with a cheesehead.
- Democrats branded the race as “People vs. Musk” — and won.
- Musk says he’ll now spend less on politics to refocus on business.
- Public perception of Musk fell, with favorable views dropping to 33%.
- His controversial role in Trump’s DOGE agency drew criticism.
- Critics say Musk’s retreat doesn’t mean he won’t still influence quietly.
- Billionaire payouts for petition signers and volunteers drew headlines.
- Wisconsin’s liberal court control is now extended until 2028.
Deep Look: Musk Retreats After Political Burnout in Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. — May 21, 2025 — In what may be his last major foray into electoral politics, Elon Musk has vowed to scale back his campaign spending after his aggressive — and very public — effort to sway Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election failed spectacularly.
A Political Flop in America’s Heartland
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, and head of Trump’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spent more than $22 million in total on the Wisconsin race. Musk’s involvement included personal appearances, grassroots cash incentives, and social media blitzes in support of Republican-backed Brad Schimel — a candidate positioned to tilt the court conservative.
Instead, voters delivered a 10-point defeat, leaving Democrats in firm control of the Wisconsin high court until at least 2028.
“This is the biggest Republican donor walking away,” said Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler. “We made him toxic.”
Cheeseheads, Cash, and Controversy
Musk’s Wisconsin push was unlike any other: donning a cheesehead hat, rallying crowds in Green Bay, and personally handing out $1 million checks to petition-signing volunteers. His PACs paid $20 incentives to door-knockers and offered even more for voter referrals — an unprecedented move in a state known for tight, high-stakes elections.
But the spectacle didn’t land. Green Bay voted against Musk’s candidate, and Democrats capitalized on the backlash by framing the contest as a referendum on Musk and Trump.
The Numbers: Big Spend, Bigger Backlash
- Elon Musk personally spent $3 million.
- America PAC and Rebuilding America’s Future, both Musk-aligned, added $19 million.
- His efforts made it the most expensive court race in U.S. history, totaling over $100 million.
- An AP-NORC poll found Musk’s favorability plunged from 41% in December to 33% post-election.
DOGE, Discontent, and Democrats
At the same time, Musk was steering the Trump administration’s government downsizing initiative through DOGE, earning him criticism for agency shutdowns, foreign aid cuts, and deep staffing reductions.
Democrats like Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin weren’t buying Musk’s promise to scale back: “This just means they know how toxic Elon Musk has become.”
Critics Warn: Don’t Count Musk Out Yet
Wisconsin Republicans and political strategists cautioned that Musk’s retreat might be temporary.
Brandon Scholz, a retired GOP consultant, said, “He’s burned right now, but billionaires don’t stay burned for long.”
Musk could still fund campaigns quietly or return in key national races, albeit without the media fanfare. “He became the campaign,” Scholz said. “That’s what failed.”
Democrats Score a Win — And Plan Ahead
The surprise announcement came on the same day Judge Chris Taylor, a liberal jurist, launched her 2026 campaign against a Trump-aligned incumbent on Wisconsin’s high court. Her approach? Focus on voters, not billionaires.
“My campaign is going to be about the people of this state — not the most powerful,” Taylor told the AP.
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