In Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Donald Trump Jr. addressed a Republican rally on Monday, underscoring the critical importance of securing a victory in the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race. He emphasized that this win is crucial for upholding his father’s policy agenda and sustaining GOP momentum as the 2026 midterms and prospective presidential election loom.
At the rally organized by Turning Point USA, a group founded by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump Jr. called on his father’s supporters to participate actively in the Supreme Court election scheduled for two weeks later. He underscored that voter turnout in this ostensibly nonpartisan but highly charged contest could significantly impact the broader Trump agenda.
Describing it as a pivotal moment, Trump Jr. encouraged voters to engage now for future political battles, warning that a defeat could stagnate his father’s presidency. “This presidency can be put to a halt with this vote,” he remarked, emphasizing the election’s significance in potentially thwarting Democratic efforts to counteract Trump’s policies.
The result of the April 1 election will sway the balance of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court, determining whether conservative or liberal justices hold majority control, as it confronts key issues including abortion rights, union powers, voting laws, and district delineations.
Held in predominantly Republican Waukesha County, the rally drew significant attendance on the eve of the commencement of early voting. The Republican candidate, Brad Schimel, stood alongside well-known Wisconsin GOP figures such as former Governor Scott Walker, state party leaders, and legislative members, rallying the troops.
Schimel, with a background as a Waukesha County judge and former attorney general, is contending against Susan Crawford, a Democratic-aligned Dane County judge, in what is perceived as a gauge of Wisconsin voters’ sentiments towards Trump’s early presidential tenure. Urging voters to remain proactive, Schimel questioned, “Do you think the job is done? We have to stay vigilant, and we have to stay on this.”
A longstanding Trump ally, Schimel was in attendance at the president’s inauguration and recently featured at a prominent MAGA rally, pictured with a giant Trump effigy beside a campaign poster supporting his bid for the Supreme Court.
In response to the event, Wisconsin Democratic Party representative Joe Oslund criticized Schimel for his apparent allegiance to Trump and his family. Although President Trump has not offered an explicit endorsement, event attendees expressed hopeful anticipation that his influence could aid Schimel’s campaign.
Attendee Soslan Temanson, a 26-year-old Trump supporter, highlighted the election’s pivotal nature: “I can’t overemphasize the importance of this election,” he stated, stressing the critical focus on Wisconsin.
Known for its fiercely competitive presidential races, Wisconsin recently saw a liberal candidate win the last Supreme Court election by a significant margin. In response, Republicans, with significant financial backing from individuals like Elon Musk, are investing heavily in this year’s race to prevent another defeat.
This Supreme Court contest has become the costliest in U.S. history, with more than $11 million invested from groups aligned with Musk, who is closely associated with Trump. Meanwhile, Democratic efforts, supported by billionaires such as George Soros and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, are rallying behind Crawford. As part of these efforts, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz planned to host a town hall meeting in Wisconsin to advocate for early voting, with former Democratic Attorney General Eric Holder campaigning for Crawford in Milwaukee.
