Reid J. Epstein

He has spent much of his career in politics and the judiciary demonstrating his loyalty to Trump and Republicans. And he's hoping that that pays off by energizing Trump's base to come out and vote for him today.

He has spent much of his career in politics and the judiciary demonstrating his loyalty to Trump and Republicans. And he's hoping that that pays off by energizing Trump's base to come out and vote for him today.

It is the most partisan, nonpartisan race that we've had in quite a while. And Democrats really expected that this race would act like a lot of these races beforehand, where there is a reaction to the party in power and that their voters would be more energized to come out and make a statement against Democrats.

It is the most partisan, nonpartisan race that we've had in quite a while. And Democrats really expected that this race would act like a lot of these races beforehand, where there is a reaction to the party in power and that their voters would be more energized to come out and make a statement against Democrats.

the Trump administration than Republican voters would be in sort of confirming what was happening in Washington. Right, which is exactly what just happened in Iowa and Pennsylvania. Right, in a similar pattern to these other special elections. But then Elon Musk got involved.

the Trump administration than Republican voters would be in sort of confirming what was happening in Washington. Right, which is exactly what just happened in Iowa and Pennsylvania. Right, in a similar pattern to these other special elections. But then Elon Musk got involved.

And we saw something in Wisconsin that we've never seen in any race anywhere else in the country where a single donor who also happens to be the chief policy director of the White House with his own checkbook. basically built an entire campaign for one of the president's allies. And he, so far, has spent more than $20 million. Wow.

And we saw something in Wisconsin that we've never seen in any race anywhere else in the country where a single donor who also happens to be the chief policy director of the White House with his own checkbook. basically built an entire campaign for one of the president's allies. And he, so far, has spent more than $20 million. Wow.

And he's also, you know, the largest single donor to the Wisconsin Republican Party, which can then give money directly to Schimel's campaign. He has given more than 25% of all of the money spent on this race from both sides combined. Hmm.

And he's also, you know, the largest single donor to the Wisconsin Republican Party, which can then give money directly to Schimel's campaign. He has given more than 25% of all of the money spent on this race from both sides combined. Hmm.

And that's made this election in Wisconsin the first real test of whether Elon Musk and the millions of dollars he can direct toward an election can snuff out Democratic anger that, for a lot of the country, is directed at him.

And that's made this election in Wisconsin the first real test of whether Elon Musk and the millions of dollars he can direct toward an election can snuff out Democratic anger that, for a lot of the country, is directed at him.

Or whether the Democratic enthusiasm to push back against what's happening in Washington can overcome Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and all of the money that Musk has directed toward them.

Or whether the Democratic enthusiasm to push back against what's happening in Washington can overcome Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and all of the money that Musk has directed toward them.

First, it's the biggest, most important race on the calendar until November. So if he's going to get involved in something, it would be this. He has a non-trivial personal financial stake in the outcome. Tesla, the car company that he is the chief executive of.

First, it's the biggest, most important race on the calendar until November. So if he's going to get involved in something, it would be this. He has a non-trivial personal financial stake in the outcome. Tesla, the car company that he is the chief executive of.

is suing the state of Wisconsin over a state law that forbids Tesla from opening its own car dealerships in the state without going through a franchisee. A lot of states have laws like this. Tesla has sued or maneuvered around them in many states where it operates. But Wisconsin had said no. And in January, Tesla filed a lawsuit.

is suing the state of Wisconsin over a state law that forbids Tesla from opening its own car dealerships in the state without going through a franchisee. A lot of states have laws like this. Tesla has sued or maneuvered around them in many states where it operates. But Wisconsin had said no. And in January, Tesla filed a lawsuit.

And about a week later, Musk started tweeting about the Supreme Court race.

And about a week later, Musk started tweeting about the Supreme Court race.