Elon Musk spent $300 million to elect Trump. The world’s richest man turned that investment into a role as the most powerful unelected bureaucrat in U.S. history — he is single-handedly deciding to open or close government agencies. His team is handpicking the regulators who oversee his many businesses. Musk has essentially purchased a government. The President is selling Teslas on the White House lawn, and the Attorney General is threatening the people who protest outside Tesla dealerships.

For so many, Musk embodies everything they hate and fear about Trump’s America. A billionaire ignoring rules and laws to help himself and his rich friends while sitting on the social network he owns, spreading hate and lies. To foment hate against the judges who have ruled against his illegal and unconstitutional firings of federal employees, Musk donated the maximum legally allowed amount to seven GOP lawmakers who are pushing for judicial impeachments.

The anger at Musk rivals the anger towards Trump. People want to channel their anger and register their disapproval.

Thousands are protesting at Tesla dealerships all across the country. Those peaceful protests are having their intended effect by drawing attention to Musk’s deranged actions. Still, there is another opportunity to send a message to Musk right around the corner.

On April 2, Wisconsin will hold an election for a key Supreme Court seat. While the race is technically non-partisan, the Democrats lined up behind Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and Republican Brad Schimel, a former state attorney general. However, the race has primarily become about Musk. The world’s richest man already spent $10 million to help elect Schimel.

Electing Susan Crawford would be good for democracy in Wisconsin, but if grassroots activists can defeat Musk, it will send a powerful signal to Republicans about the dangers of enabling Musk’s worst behavior.

Why the Wisconsin Race Matters

Liberals currently have a 4-3 advantage on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, a liberal, is retiring, so the balance of the court is once again up for grabs. Control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court is essential. The Liberal majority finally undid the horrific gerrymandering that gave the GOP a stranglehold on the legislature in this quintessentially 50-50 state. Putting the court in MAGA hands could devastate democracy, freedom, and civil rights in Wisconsin. Still, the state Supreme Court will likely be where many key issues in the 2026 and 2028 elections are resolved.

The political ramifications of the race extend beyond Wisconsin. This is the first major race in a battleground state since the presidential election. We will finally see the political ramifications of the first three months of the Trump Administration. As Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler told the Wall Street Journal:

This will be a test of whether Musk’s unlimited bank account can overcome the intense rage that he has generated among Democratic voters.

A victory in Wisconsin over Musk and his millions will stiffen the spines of Democrats across the country and send a signal to Republicans about the political costs of becoming vassals of the world’s richest man.

Why Focus On Musk?

Elon Musk made the race about himself when he dropped $10 million to elect Schimel, but the Crawford campaign and the Wisconsin Democrats embraced the opportunity. They framed the race as “The People v. Elon Musk.” The Wisconsin Democrats erected anti-Musk billboards across the state and ran television ads like this one featuring Musk.

Focusing on Musk, one of Trump’s most infamous and hated supporters, is a great way to raise money and mobilize the Democratic base. However, we need more than a rallying cry.

Musk’s support of Schimel is also a data point in the argument against Schimel. Tesla sued the state of Wisconsin over a law regulating car dealerships. That case could end up in front of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Schimel won’t commit to recusing himself from a case involving the company owed by the guy who spent $10 million to try to get him elected. This is a textbook example of how the ultra-wealthy and politically connected buy politicians… and judges.

The other reason to focus on Musk is that he is pretty unpopular in Wisconsin. A Marquette University Law School poll found that only 41% of Wiscononsites view Musk favorably — 58% of Independents view him unfavorably. Musk is significantly less popular than Trump, who has a 48% job approval rating in this poll.

How To Help Defeat Musk

On his Substack, Wikler makes a persuasive and inspiring case about why electing Susan Crawford could defeat Elon Musk.

In a moment when so many grassroots Democrats are infuriated by the sense that their own party isn’t fighting back with the energy this moment requires, Wisconsin could light a torch that illuminates the path forward. We don’t have to roll over. We don’t have to play dead. Our job is to punch back. In the Badger State, that’s exactly what we’re doing. And if it works—when it works—it could show our allies and partners across the country that they can do it, too.

By all accounts, this race is incredibly close. It’s going to come down to the wire. The next ten days matter.

To contribute to or volunteer for Crawford’s campaign, do so HERE.

To help the Wisconsin Democratic Party with their efforts in this race, do so HERE.

It’s the grassroots vs. the richest man on the planet, but it’s also a fight we can win. And imagine how pissed Elon Musk and Trump will be when we win.