Musk and Trump viewed roughly the same by Americans, AP poll finds | AP News
Elon Musk — the billionaire tech mogul once hailed as an unstoppable force of innovation — is seeing his star dim a little, especially in Washington circles. According to a fresh poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, Musk’s favorability has taken a noticeable hit just as he’s been gaining political power.
How Far Has Musk’s Popularity Fallen?
In December, about 41% of U.S. adults had a favorable view of Musk. Fast forward to today, and that number has dropped to just 33%. That’s a pretty steep decline for someone who not long ago was practically a household hero for tech enthusiasts and dreamers alike.
The big shift? Many point to Musk’s new role as the public face of President Donald Trump’s efforts to dramatically shrink and reshape the federal government. His late-night posts, bold public appearances, and unfiltered comments have fueled both admiration and criticism — but lately, it’s mostly been criticism.
What Americans Are Saying About Musk
People across the political spectrum are weighing in. Ernest Pereira, a 27-year-old Democrat from North Carolina, put it bluntly:
“It was a shame that he crashed and burned his reputation. He bought into his own hype.”
Similarly, Susan Wolf, a 75-year-old retiree from Pennsylvania, shared a deep skepticism about Musk’s leadership in Washington:
“He thinks you run a government like you run a business. And you don’t do that. One is for the people. The other is for corporations.”
Clearly, for many, Musk’s business acumen hasn’t translated well to the world of public service.
Why Is Musk Losing Support?
The poll highlights that around two-thirds of U.S. adults feel Musk has too much influence over the federal government — a feeling that cuts across many demographics. Even though Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative promised to slash government waste, the results have been mixed.
- DOGE has laid off thousands and frozen entire agencies.
- However, Musk’s lofty goal of cutting $1 trillion in spending has been dramatically lowered to $150 billion — and even that is proving tough to achieve.
Meanwhile, Tesla, Musk’s crown jewel, has seen a 71% drop in Q1 profits — another signal that splitting his attention might be costing him dearly.
Political Shifts and Public Opinion
Musk’s politics have also shifted rightward. Once a champion of fighting climate change and a supporter of Democratic candidates, Musk now rails against “the woke mind virus” and warns about issues like illegal immigration and government overspending.
The divide is stark:
- About 7 in 10 Republicans still view Musk favorably.
- Only 2 in 10 independents and 1 in 10 Democrats share that positive opinion.
Interestingly, concerns about Musk’s influence are far more common among Democrats and independents than among Republicans.
What’s Next for Musk?
Musk has hinted he’ll soon scale back his role in Washington, planning to spend only a “day or two per week” on government affairs. His main focus will likely shift back to Tesla, where major damage control is needed.
As Mark Collins, a 67-year-old Republican from Michigan, sees it:
“He’s cleaning up all the trash. I love what he’s doing.”
However, not everyone agrees, and with America sharply divided on his influence, it remains to be seen whether Musk can repair his image — or if his Washington adventure will leave a lasting dent in his legacy.
Key Takeaways:
- Elon Musk’s favorability has dropped to 33% among U.S. adults.
- Around two-thirds believe Musk holds too much influence over the government.
- Musk’s political shift to the right has polarized public opinion.
- DOGE’s government downsizing has had mixed results.
- Musk plans to refocus on Tesla as public trust wavers.
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