IdeaLog

MAGA’s Musk mistake

Posted on April 2, 2025

Tuesday’s elections brought good news. MAGA candidates ran at least 10 points behind 2024 Trump votes and, perhaps best of all, Elon Musk dragged them all down. How should you use this in messaging?

Let’s first review what happened.

In Wisconsin, MAGA lost the most expensive judicial contest in US history even though Elon Musk personally spent more than $25 million for the MAGA candidate. Musk also put himself at the center of the campaign with high-profile rallies, “raffles” for $1 million dollars, and a claim that victory in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election “steers the course of Western civilization.”

Democrats were delighted to focus on Musk. “On April 1, Wisconsinites get the chance to say what Americans across this country are thinking: ‘Go to hell, Elon,’” said DNC Chair Ken Martin. And, of course, Musk’s attacks on Social Security were discussed and his “Heil Hitler” salute was repeatedly shown.

Also on Tuesday, in Florida, Democratic candidates cut Trump’s winning margin in half in congressional districts that voted Republican by 30+ points just five months ago. This comes after Democrats won two special elections for state legislature in Pennsylvania and Iowa, and the defeat of four MAGA state ballot initiatives in Louisiana.

The Trump-Musk agenda is unpopular. Republican analysts agree that Elon Musk is a disaster for Republicans nationwide. Even if Trump eases Musk out of official duties in Washington, we must not stop linking Trump and Musk.

Say:

Trump and Musk

Trump-Musk agenda

Trump-Musk tax cuts for the rich

Tax cuts for billionaires like Musk

Tax cuts and subsidies for the richest man in the world

Musk is out of control

Trump and Musk want unchecked power

Don’t let Musk buy the White House/Congress/Judiciary

Americans deserve a government that looks out for them, not the ultra-wealthy

America is not for sale