Trump and Musk Back Conservative Brad Schimel in High-Stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

Former President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk have thrown their full support behind conservative candidate Brad Schimel in Wisconsin’s pivotal Supreme Court race—an election that could reshape the ideological balance of the court and impact national politics, including control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The race between Schimel, a conservative judge from Waukesha County, and liberal Dane County Judge Susan Crawford has captured national attention, with outside political groups and donors pouring tens of millions of dollars into the contest.

A Seat That Could Swing the Court

The outcome of Tuesday’s election will determine the makeup of Wisconsin’s seven-member Supreme Court. With one seat currently vacant due to a retirement, the winner will either tilt the court 4-3 conservative or 4-3 liberal—an outcome that could influence key rulings on abortion, voter ID laws, and congressional redistricting in the critical battleground state.

The financial stakes are equally historic. Spending on the race has already surpassed the previous record of $51 million set in Wisconsin’s 2022 judicial election and could exceed $100 million before Election Day.

Elon Musk Invests Big in the Race

Elon Musk, currently the world’s richest man, has invested heavily in this election, viewing it as an opportunity to solidify conservative influence in a key swing state. Campaign finance records show Musk has directed $19.3 million toward supporting Schimel’s campaign.

This includes a $2 million donation to the Wisconsin Republican Party last week, along with additional contributions through his political groups—America PAC and Building America’s Future—which have collectively spent around $16 million to support Schimel’s candidacy.

A campaign flyer funded by America PAC reads, “Conservative Brad Schimel will support President Trump’s agenda! Together, we won the White House. Now it’s time to win the courthouse!”

Trump Urges Voters to Back Schimel

Trump, closely watching the race, issued a call to action on Truth Social, referring to Crawford as “the handpicked voice of the Leftists” and urging voters to support Schimel early.

“If she wins, the Movement to restore our Nation will bypass Wisconsin,” Trump wrote. “All voters who believe in Common Sense should GET OUT TO VOTE EARLY for Brad Schimel.”

In a longer statement, he added, “By turning out and voting early, you will be helping to uphold the Rule of Law, protect our incredible police, secure our beloved Constitution, safeguard our inalienable rights, and preserve liberty and justice for all.”

Schimel Responds: “I’m Not for Sale”

Despite the record-breaking campaign spending, Schimel insists he remains independent and principled.

“People want to support you,” Schimel said during a recent forum. “It should be because they like what you stand for—not because they’re buying some result.”

Schimel has previously served as Wisconsin’s attorney general and has been vocal about his alignment with Trump’s values, saying he wants to be a “support network” for the former president and has criticized the state’s Supreme Court for “screwing over” Trump during the 2020 election.

Crawford Pushes Back Against Trump, Musk Influence

Judge Susan Crawford has sought to rally anti-MAGA voters by highlighting Schimel’s endorsements from Trump and Musk. Her campaign accuses Schimel of aligning with extreme right-wing interests and failing to protect public safety during his time as attorney general.

“Brad Schimel is a corrupt politician who let 6,000 rape kits sit untested and gave a plea deal to a child predator whose attorney gave him $5,000,” her campaign said in a statement.

The campaign further accused Schimel of cozying up to partisan agendas: “Schimel has spent his entire career on bent knee to right-wing special interests. We assumed he had this endorsement locked up months ago.”

During a recent debate, Crawford was questioned about a controversial sentencing decision in a child sexual assault case. She defended her ruling, saying, “I don’t regret that sentence because I followed the law in that case.”

A Decisive Election for Wisconsin and Beyond

With issues like abortion rights, election laws, and redistricting on the line, the Wisconsin Supreme Court race could have sweeping implications for both the state and the nation.

As the April 1 election approaches, both parties are urging voters to turn out in what is shaping up to be one of the most expensive and consequential judicial races in U.S. history.