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The liberal candidate for a critical seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Susan Crawford, has defeated conservative Brad Schimel despite Elon Musk pouring an estimated $25 million into his campaign.
The race, which determined ideological control of the state’s High Court, was billed as one of the biggest tests of Donald Trump’s second administration and Crawford’s win marks a massive blow to his agenda. The liberals will now retain a 4-3 majority on the court, which could affect rulings on abortion and voting rights as well as other issues.
Meanwhile, international markets wait tentatively for the president to unveil his sweeping “Liberation Day” tariff plan as part of an aggressive attempt to fulfill his administration’s economic agenda.
Trump is expected to unveil his plans at 4 p.m. Wednesday at a “Make America Wealthy Again” event in the White House Rose Garden after the market closes.
White House aides drafted a proposal to impose 20 percent tariffs on most imports into the U.S. on the eve of Trump’s “Liberation Day,” three sources told the Washington Post. Multiple options were still being explored Tuesday, they added.
This is who Trump world will blame if tariffs are a disaster...
It’s unclear what impact President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs will have on the U.S. economy, but if things go badly, members of the administration are reportedly ready to blame Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
Ariana Baio reports.
Oliver O'Connell2 April 2025 09:31
Musk speaks out after conservative candidate beaten at ballot box
Elon Musk has lamented the “corruption of the judiciary” after liberal Judge Susan Crawford defeated conservative candidate Brad Schimel for a pivotal seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Musk poured an estimated $25 million into the race in an attempt to defeat Crawford, according to the New York Times.
Two days before Election Day, Musk traveled to Wisconsin to deliver a town hall, handing out $1 million checks to two voters who previously signed a petition against “activist judges.”
James Liddell2 April 2025 09:07
'Wisconsin beat a billionaire': Jubilant Dems celebrate Crawford state Supreme Court win
James Liddell2 April 2025 08:40
Mike Johnson throws cold water on Trump’s musings about a third term
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a constitutional law expert, cast doubt on Tuesday on the viability of Donald Trump’s stated interest in running for a constitutionally barred third term as president.
“There’s a constitutional path. You have to amend the constitution to do it,” Johnson told reporters at the Capitol. “That’s a high bar.”
Josh Marcus reports.
Oliver O'Connell2 April 2025 08:15
White House digs in after mistakenly deporting Maryland father to El Salvador
The White House is angrily deflecting questions over how a Salvadoran man who had sought asylum in the United States was sent back to his home country despite having been granted protected legal status.
On Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the deportation by claiming Kilmar Abrego Garcia was a leader of the notorious MS-13 gang who had engaged in human trafficking.
Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington, D.C.
Oliver O'Connell2 April 2025 07:45
Could Musk's role at DOGE be drawing to an end?
President Donald Trump has hinted that it could be the end of the road for Elon Musk and DOGE as the advisory department lies on the brink of being dismantled.
Madeline Sherratt explains.
Oliver O'Connell2 April 2025 06:45
Watch: Kid Rock mocked for Oval Office attire
Fox News reporter makes fun of Kid Rock’s Oval Office outfit
A Fox News reporter made fun of Kid Rock's flamboyant outfit he wore as he joined Donald Trump in the Oval Office for an executive order signing on Monday, 31 March. The musician stood next to the president at the Resolute desk dressed in American flag-themed clothing. As the session ended, the Republican asked if Joe Biden conducted news conferences similarly - before Peter Doocy made a joke at Kid Rock's expense. "He's never stood next to someone who looks like they were about to get shot out of a cannon," the reporter remarked.
Oliver O'Connell2 April 2025 05:45
WATCH: Newly elected Wisconsin Supreme Court justice tells Elon Musk 'courts are not for sale'
Gustaf Kilander2 April 2025 05:05
Susan Crawford says ‘courts are not for sale’ after Elon Musk spends millions in Wisconsin Supreme Court race
In remarks to supporters after her projected victory against Elon Musk-backed Brad Schimel for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, liberal Judge Susan Crawford said the state’s voters “fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy.”
Crawford’s election to the battleground state’s highest court marks one of the first major electoral tests of Donald Trump’s presidency and the power of Elon Musk’s money.
The race has served as a proxy battle over the nation’s political future in the wake of Trump’s chaotic first few months back in the White House alongside the world’s wealthiest man, who has pumped tens of millions of dollars into the race.
Gustaf Kilander2 April 2025 05:03
The ‘Dirty 15’ countries braced for harder hit from Trump’s tariffs
Although not naming the countries, treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the group of nations traded heavily with the U.S. and had high tariffs on U.S. goods, plus held non-tariff barriers such as domestic-content production rules.
Coining the term “dirty 15”, Bessent was referring to 15 per cent of countries that account for the bulk of U.S. trading volume - a list of nations economists expect could be hit by Trump’s tariffs.\
Alex Croft reports.
Oliver O'Connell2 April 2025 04:45
