Judge Susan Crawford preserved liberals’ narrow majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court Tuesday by defeating conservative Brad Schimel, but in a way the real loser of the election was billionaire Elon Musk.
Musk and his affiliated groups sunk at least $21 million into the normally low-profile race and paid three individual voters $1 million each for signing a petition in an effort to goose turnout in the pivotal battleground state contest. That made the race the first major test of the political impact of Musk, whose prominence in President Donald Trump’s administration has skyrocketed with his chaotic cost-cutting initiative that has slashed federal agencies.
Crawford and the Democrats who backed her made Musk the focus of their arguments for holding the seat, contending he was “buying” the election, which set records for the costliest judicial race in history.
“Today Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy, our fair elections and our Supreme Court,” Crawford said in her victory speech. “And Wisconsin stood up and said loudly that justice does not have a price, our courts are not for sale.”
Trump endorsed Schimel as the race turned into a proxy fight over national political issues. The state’s high court can rule on cases involving voting rights and redistricting in a state likely to be at the center of both next year’s midterm elections and the 2028 presidential contest.
But Musk’s involvement dialed those dynamics up to 11: “A seemingly small election could determine the fate of Western civilization,” the billionaire said Tuesday in a last-ditch call to voters on his social media site X. “I think it matters for the future of the world.”
Notably, America PAC, the super PAC backed by Musk, spent at least $6 million on vendors who sent door-to-door canvassers across the state, according to the non-partisan Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. It was a reprise of what the group did across the seven most competitive presidential battleground states, including Wisconsin, which were carried by Trump in November.
But the end results this time were not good for Musk. Despite the millions he spent on Schimel, as of late Tuesday night the Supreme Court candidate was losing by four percentage points more than the other Republican-backed statewide candidate, Brittany Kinser, who also fell short in her bid for superintendent of public instruction.
Musk’s court race defeat wasn’t only because of crushing Democratic margins in deep blue cities like Madison and Milwaukee. Crawford’s margins were higher in places where the Musk-backed group America PAC had been active, including Sauk County, just north of Madison, which Crawford was carrying by 10 points after Trump won it by less than 2 points in November.
In Brown County, the home of Green Bay where Musk headlined a campaign rally with 2,000 people on Sunday, Crawford beat Schimel. Trump won the county by 7 percentage points last year.
Overnight, Musk posted on his X platform that “The long con of the left is corruption of the judiciary.” In another comment, he seemed to take solace from voters’ approval to elevate the state’s photo ID requirement from state law to constitutional amendment. The platform was rife with criticism from Trump opponents for his involvement in the race.
“Please send @elonmusk to all the close races!” Jon Favreau, former speechwriter for President Barack Obama, wrote.
“Elon Musk is not good at this,” J.B. Pritzker, Illinois’ Democratic governor and a billionaire himself who donated to support Crawford, posted on X.
Voters definitely had Musk on their minds.
“There’s an insane situation going on with the Trump administration, and it feels like Elon Musk is trying to buy votes,” said Kenneth Gifford, a 22-year-old Milwaukee college student, as he cast his ballot on Tuesday. “I want an actual, respectable democracy.”
Others may not have had their vote decided by the billionaire but were all-too aware of the money pouring into their state.
Jim Seeger, a 68-year-old retiree who previously worked in communications and marketing, said he voted for Schimel because he wants Republicans to maintain their outsized majority in Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, which could be at risk if Crawford wins and the court orders the maps redrawn. But, he added, he was disappointed the election had become a “financial race.”
“I think it’s a shame that we have to spend this much money, especially on a judicial race,” Seeger said as he voted in Eau Claire.
Wisconsin’s Democratic Attorney General, Josh Kaul, sued to bar Musk from making his payments to voters if they signed a petition against “activist judges.” The state Supreme Court unanimously declined to rule on the case over a technicality.
Musk swooped into the race shortly after Trump’s inauguration. Republicans were pessimistic about being able to win the seat. They lost a longtime conservative majority on the state high court in 2023, and Democrats have excelled in turning out their educated, politically tuned-in coalition during obscure elections such as the one in Wisconsin.
Musk duplicated and expanded on some of the methods he used in the final weeks of last year’s presidential race, when he spent more than $200 million on Trump’s behalf in the seven swing states, including Wisconsin.
This time, in addition to the $1 million checks, Musk offered to pay $20 to anyone who signed up on his group’s site to knock on doors for Schimel and posted a photo of themselves as proof. His organization promised $100 to every voter who signed the petition against liberal judges and another $100 for every signer they referred.
Democrats were happy to make Musk a lightning rod in the race.
“People do not want to see Elon Musk buying election after election after election,” Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler said Monday. “If it works here, he’s going to do it all over the country.”
There’s a lot of buzz about supporting your gut health, which impacts your mental well-being, colorectal cancer risk, and immunity. But knowing the importance of gut health is one thing—knowing the best way to feed your gut is another.
Your gut health refers to how well your digestive system is functioning to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste. Within your gut lies the gut microbiome, made up of trillions of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses and fungi. To keep your gut healthy, that bacteria needs to be fed and maintained—which is where a gut-healthy diet comes in.
Which foods are best for your gut health?
When you think of gut-friendly foods, you may think of fermented foods like sauerkraut and yogurt, which have naturally occurring bacteria that come from the fermentation process.
Fermented foods are packed with probiotics—live bacteria and yeasts—that naturally live in your body and benefit your health.
There are actually two main types of foods to support your gut health: probiotics and prebiotics. Prebiotics are not alive—but they are crucial to feed your good gut bacteria. They are found in fiber-rich, plant-based foods, and research supports their cancer- and chronic disease-fighting properties.
“They’re like the fuel,” Amy Bragagnini, RD, national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Fortune. “To make a lasting, sustainable microbiome, you need a balance of both [prebiotics and probiotics].”
Of the gut-healthy foods to choose from, here are science-backed options to help give your gut microbiome a health boost.
1. Kimchi
Kimchi, a staple of Korean food, is a spicy fermented cabbage, similar to sauerkraut, filled with probiotics. Studies have linked the consumption of kimchi to improved blood sugar regulation in prediabetic individuals and improved metabolic health. You can find it refrigerated in grocery stores to be used as a flavor-boost in grain bowls or fried rice.
2. Yogurt and kefir
Since yogurt and kefir are fermented dairy products, they are packed with probiotics and beneficial bacteria produced from the fermentation process. You’ll notice that these dairy products will usually be labeled with “live and active cultures” and a list of the bacteria in them—that’s a good indicator that the yogurt or kefir has the probiotics you’re looking for.
Additionally, yogurt’s gut-health benefits may help prevent colorectal cancer. A recent study published in the journal Gut Microbes found that long-term yogurt consumption—two or more servings per week—was tied to lower rates of proximal colorectal cancer (on the right side of the colon).
Meanwhile kefir, which is a fermented yogurt drink, is shown to improve immune, gastrointestinal, and metabolic health, while also helping to reduce inflammation.
3. Oatmeal
Whole grains like oatmeal are a great source of prebiotic fiber to feed your gut bacteria, which helps to support digestion and an overall healthy gut microbiome.
A 2005 study also found that whole grains reduced colorectal cancer risk in women. Whole grains’ high fiber content, resistant starch, and prebiotics improve the gut microbiome to reduce risk, researchers wrote, while “diluting potential carcinogens and promoters in the colon and decreasing transit time,” which reduces colon tissue’s exposure to harmful compounds.
4. Onions and garlic
These alliums are full of prebiotics proven to help gut flora grow and flourish. Studies show they may also help to improve symptoms associated with gastrointestinal distress, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
5. Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the most prebiotic-rich foods you can eat. These veggies are packed with beneficial phytochemicals like xylose, inulin, flavonoids, fructans, and saponins. These nutrients, in addition to asparagus’ high fiber content, have been shown to promote the growth of certain probiotic bacterial strains.
While the stock market crash sent baby boomers into panic mode, Gen Z was grabbing the popcorn and sharing their plans to get rich. “Forget about the Sephora sale… the entire stock market is on sale right now,” one excited 24-year-old shared on TikTok. Meanwhile, a 22-year-old shared how she made $42K in less than an hour thanks to the volatile market.
The world’s stock markets tanked late last week in response to President Donald Trump’s new tariffs—and baby boomers watched in horror as their dreams of a comfortable retirement briefly went up in flames. Although their Hail Mary’s were answered yesterday, with a 90-day pause on select tariffs, in Trump’s own words, “Nothing’s over yet.”
And Gen Z is here for the ride.
In fact, TikTok was rife with young people sharing excitement over their losses and what the market volatility could mean for their long-term wealth.
“The entire stock market is on sale right now,” the 24-year-old content creator from New York @pipercassidyphillips posted to her channel.
“Forget about the Sephora sale, which is going on right now. The whole stock market yesterday had the biggest single day crash since 2020, which means this is a good time to buy because things are literally on sale. They are cheaper.”
“So this is just your general PSA that if you’ve been sitting on some money that you want to invest, this is the time—I’m doing it,” Piper Phillips said, adding that she consulted ChatGPT for financial advice before investing cash towards her retirement.
“So I will be hitting up the Sephora sale, but I’m going to be prioritizing the stock market sale first.”
Gen Z has time on their side—and they know it
Unlike those in their 60s and 70s who are planning on retiring soon, Gen Zers can withstand the current volatility—and they know it.
Take 24-year-old Mia McGrath for example. Despite having lofty goals to retire by 40, she shared her nonchalant approach to the market’s ups and downs.
“The market is in a bit of a downturn right now, and people are panicking,” she posted in a recent TikTok video. “People’s reaction in a situation like this is to sell, sell, sell, but you have to buy low and sell high. That’s just the way the stock market works.”
Although her stocks were down £5,000 (about ¢6,500) at the end of last week, the London-based account manager wasn’t worried.
“The market has a 100% recovery rate,” she added. “So yes, there have been instances where it hasn’t fully recovered from a crash for 15 years, but that’s why I always say that investing is for the long term. You have to have the next few decades in mind.”
Ryan King, another British financial content creator, shared on his social media channels that he’s “lost £12,959 in 2025.”
“But I’m not worried,” he posted on @makingmoneysimple. “The money that I’ve lost is only lost ‘on paper.’ You don’t lose any money until you lock in your losses and actually sell”
“I don’t need this money for the long term. So I have time for the market to recover,” the 27-year-old added. “This is a good thing. I can now invest at lower prices each month—into the same funds that I was already investing into—as they are now ‘on sale’ and cost less.”
Even with the aim of quitting work and living off their investment portfolio decades earlier than the conventional retirement age range of 65 to 70, Gen Z still has over 20 years to wait for the market to recover.
If anything, they reckon buying into the dip, will accelerate their financial goals and help them retire earlier.
“This is absolutely insane. This hasn’t even happened since COVID,” a 21-year-old American investing influencer who goes by Elap shared on TikTok that he was “down another $1,783 in one day” and “down more than 10% in two days because of Trump’s Liberation Day.”
“If you’re young, this is the biggest opportunity.” In another video, he shared that stock market crashes “can make you rich”—especially if you’re under 25: “2025 stock market crashing is your biggest generational opportunity.”
Trust the process: Some Gen Zers are already seeing huge gains
Since Trump’s tariff pause sent stocks soaring, Gen Z investors have been smugly sharing their huge financial gains.
King even shared screenshots of his various Vanguard funds, which are all now back in the green.
Elap echoed that he made over $2,000 in just 15 minutes—in comparison, most people his age would need to work for nearly three weeks to earn that.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—if you guys weren’t listening to me the past week, saying ‘this is the time you need to be getting into the market.’ This is just proof,” he posted.
“This just goes to show how you need to stay investing long term and on downturns, you need to be putting even more money into the market, which is what I’m doing, and now I am up even more than I even lost,” he added. “Last Thursday, Friday, and this Monday, I put in tons more money than usual and now I’m reaping the rewards.”
Of course, the Gen Zers who invested more in the dip saw even bigger gains.
One 22-year-old made nearly $42,000 in less than an hour. Two days later, Sierra Aaliyah shared that she had made another $39,000 with screenshots of her ballooning portfolio.
“The stock market right now is insane,” she added.
“In my four years of trading, I’ve never seen volatility like this… Never in my four years of trading have I been able to make this much money. This is crazy.”
Although she made the bulk of her money day trading, she gave lots of advice for Gen Zers looking to build long-term wealth.
“I personally have been buying VOO (Vanguard S&P 500), VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF), Nvidia, AMD shares since the market’s been dropping,” the Gen Zer said, while adding that Robin Hood is a good app to get started on investing in shares.
“Every single time the market drops, it recovers. So whether it takes three months, six months, eight months, make sure you know in your mind, oh my gosh, if I’m down on my investment, it’s going to come back up—that is long-term investing.”
“This is not something where you put your money in, and you’re like, in an hour, I made $41k. This is, you put your money in there, you sit, you let it grow over time.”
Entertainment8 years ago