The Elon Musk effect is being hotly debated in Republican circles this weekend, even as the reverberations from President Trump’s tariff policies dominate the headlines.

Put simply, the question is whether Musk is an asset or liability to Trump.

Speculation is rife once again that Musk could leave his role at the quasi-official Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) soon.

And questions are sharper than ever about the pluses and minuses of the billionaire’s broader political role after conservative candidate Brad Schimel was comfortably defeated by his liberal opponent Susan Crawford in Tuesday’s Wisconsin Supreme Court election.

Musk and his affiliated groups had spent about $20 million on the race, hoping to lift Schimel’s candidacy. His political action committee offered $100 per person to signers of a petition opposing “activist judges.” It also awarded two $1 million checks to individuals who had done so — one of whom was the chair of the Wisconsin College Republicans. Musk presented the checks himself amid meandering remarks at a public event in Green Bay last Sunday.

But Musk’s involvement in Wisconsin also became a rallying point for liberals and Democrats who accused him of trying to buy an election.

© The Hill