Cayce Myers
Tech entrepreneur and Trump advisor Elon Musk poured more than $20 million into the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court race to support conservative candidate Brad Schimel, only to see liberal Susan Crawford win easily. The development has raised questions about whether Musk could prove a liability for Republicans going forward.
“Elon Musk has become a polarizing figure in U.S. politics and his entry as a MAGA Republican and Trump surrogate has caused an interesting political reality,” said Virginia Tech political communications expert .
“Musk’s outsized fame makes him a powerful media figure, and his statements and actions automatically garner attention,” he said. “He has also contributed monetarily to the Republican and Trump cause, and his support has allowed for more campaign expenditures which are the lifeblood of politics.
“Money does have its limits, as demonstrated by the recent election of Judge Susan Crawford, viewed by many as a type of Musk referendum,” Myers said.
“However, it is important for Democrats and Musk opponents not to read too much into this election. A state Supreme Court election is not the equivalent to a presidential election or even a midterm. Candidate quality and messaging matters, and judicial elections to appellate courts are usually not predictors of future electoral outcomes,” he said.
“Musk the donor still has power and consequence to at-risk Republicans who may lag in donations against well-funded Democrats. Musk’s presence within campaigns may also take a strategic turn, as his role in the White House and DOGE may be coming to a close,” Myers said.
“It is likely that Democrats will use Musk as a focal point of the 2026 midterms, especially around his role in the early days of the Trump presidency. But the success of that strategy depends largely on the political realities in the next year. The success of Trump's agenda, especially on the economy, tariffs, and tax-cut extension, may be enough for Republicans to keep their majorities in the House and Senate,” he said.
About Myers
Cayce Myers is a professor of public relations and director of graduate studies at the at Virginia Tech. His work focuses on media history, political communication, and laws that affect public relations practice. He is the author of “Public Relations History: Theory, Practice, and Profession” and “Profession and Money in Politics: Campaign Fundraising in the 2020 Presidential Election.” Read more .     
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