WASHINGTON — Once hailed as a visionary entrepreneur, Elon Musk now faces plummeting approval ratings amid his rising influence in Washington. A recent poll reveals that only 33% of U.S. adults view Musk favorably, a notable decrease from 41% just a few months ago.
Many observers attribute Musk’s decline in popularity to his controversial role in the Trump administration, particularly as he spearheads initiatives aimed at shrinking the federal workforce. Ernest Pereira, a lab technician from North Carolina, reflected on Musk’s fall from grace, stating, “It was a shame that he crashed and burned his reputation.” Pereira believes Musk underestimated the challenges inherent in his role.
The poll indicates that a significant majority, roughly two-thirds of respondents, feel Musk has wielded excessive power in government matters. This rising concern among the public coincides with Musk’s anticipated departure from his role in the administration, which is set to take effect in the coming weeks.
Despite Musk’s association with efforts to streamline government operations, he remains less popular than President Trump’s initiative to reduce the federal workforce. Approximately half of Americans surveyed believe Trump has gone too far, while around 30% think his approach is appropriate. Susan Wolf, a 75-year-old retiree from Pennsylvania, expressed skepticism about Musk’s effectiveness, asserting, “I don’t trust him… He thinks you run a government like you run a business.”
Much of Musk’s influence stems from his establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a controversial project designed to shake up federal operations. The initiative has seen significant staff reductions and halted various agency functions. Musk’s original goal of cutting $1 trillion from expenditures has been scaled back to $150 billion, a target that many see as ambitious given the challenges that lie ahead.
Additionally, Musk is expected to focus more on his automotive giant, Tesla, which has faced declining revenue during his tenure in government. “Now that the major work of establishing DOGE is done,” Musk noted during a recent conference call with investors, “I expect to dedicate only one or two days a week to government matters.”
His political trajectory has shifted noticeably to the right, a departure from his earlier, more centrist positions focused on climate change and Democratic support. Currently, Musk has publicly criticized what he calls “the woke mind virus,” as well as expressing concerns about immigration and government spending. This new alignment has solidified a divide in public opinion, with only 20% of independents and roughly 10% of Democrats remaining positive about him. In contrast, approximately 70% of Republicans view him favorably.
Mark Collins, a warehouse manager from Michigan, articulated the sentiments held by many within his party, stating that Musk “runs a nice, tight ship” and that he appreciates his attempts to streamline government. However, the polling reveals a stark contrast in how different political affiliations perceive Musk’s impact on federal operations, with only 11% of Republicans expressing concern about potential cuts to government services.
This divergence highlights the increasingly polarized views surrounding Musk and his role in the administration’s controversial policies. As the landscape shifts, it remains to be seen how Musk’s return to the private sector and his evolving political stance will influence his legacy and ongoing public perception.
The poll, which surveyed 1,260 adults from April 17 to April 21, carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.9 percentage points, reflecting a broad array of opinions across the country.