Politics and views in the United States.

Elon Musk takes center stage in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race. Some observers say WI voters are deciding between democracy, and Donald Trump and Florida GOP candidates face a maelstrom from Trump's executive orders and poor campaign strategies in a special election.

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to 2025 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

We're also seeing like some crazy stuff in DC where it seems like any federal judge can stop any action by the president of the United States.

This is insane.

Like, this has got to stop.

It's got to stop it at the federal level and at the state level.

Before answering questions at a Wisconsin town hall, presidential advisor Elon Musk gave out million-dollar checks to two voters.

He's accused of literally buying votes in a closed state Supreme Court race, which he says is about the future of Western civilization.

But it comes as his company, Tesla, is suing the state for denying its request for dealer licenses, a case that could reach the court.

The race has garnered national scrutiny as a barometer of how Americans rate President Donald Trump's job since taking power in January.

A SoCal Strategies poll shows liberal candidate Susan Crawford leading over conservative Brad Schimmel, but state GOP leaders say an internal poll by a PAC funded by Musk shows Schimmel in a narrow lead.

Musk-backed groups have spent $17 million supporting Schimmel in the theoretically nonpartisan race.

Crawford's being supported by $24 million in contributions from financier George Soros, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and others.

Spending in the race has broken all records for a judicial contest and is expected to reach $100 million.

Brett Edkins with Stand Up America says it embodies a political climate stoked by the nation's leaders.

It's no surprise that they're trying that playbook again in Wisconsin.

And what it still comes down to is a really basic question.

Do we want a MAGA court in Wisconsin?

Do we want a Supreme Court bought and paid for by Elon Musk?

Most of the money has gone to ads aimed at undecided voters.

University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Michael Wagner isn't certain they'll have much impact, saying political allegiance will motivate the decisions most people will make.

But he says some of the ads were plainly dishonest, like one from the Schimmel campaign featuring the wrong Susan Crawford.

We live in this environment where it's easier to take the shortcut that feels good in the moment even if it's not true, even if it isn't good for the long-term project of living together and governing together as citizens.

Meanwhile, special elections to fill the seats of former Florida Representatives Matt Gaetz and Mike Walz are drawing intense scrutiny given the narrow Republican House majority.

The GOP candidates are still likely to win in districts Trump carried by more than 30 points, but the Democrats are doing much better than expected by tying them to Trump and Musk's work in Washington.

Senate and public school teacher Josh Weill has outraised former GOP State Senator Randy Fine 10-1, and some polls put him within the margin of error.

Republican moves have also put some Florida public employees in crisis.

A Trump executive order ending federal collective bargaining rights is landing hard in Florida, home to major military installations and almost 90,000 total federal employees.

Rich Templin of the Florida AFL-CIO says that, combined with deep job cuts by state government, is causing chaos of the highest order.

This is a big deal, but I think what's most important to understand is we don't know the implications just like we don't know the implications of mass layoffs.

I'm Edwin J. Vieira for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

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