Associated Press
Elon Musk spent years building cachet as a business titan and tech visionary, brushing aside critics and skeptics to become the richest person on the planet.
But as Musk gained power in Washington in recent months, his popularity has waned, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Just 33% of U.S. adults have a favorable view of Musk, the chain-saw-wielding, late-night-posting, campaign-hat-wearing public face of President Donald Trump’s efforts to downsize and overhaul the federal government. That share is down from 41% in December.
“It was a shame that he crashed and burned his reputation,” said Ernest Pereira, 27, a Democrat who works as a lab technician in North Carolina. “He bought into his own hype.”
The poll found that about two-thirds of adults believe Musk has held too much influence over the federal government during the past few months — although that influence may be coming to an end. The billionaire entrepreneur is expected to leave his administration job in the coming weeks.
Musk is noticeably less popular than the overall effort to pare back the government workforce, which Trump has described as bloated and corrupt. About half of U.S. adults believe the Republican President has gone too far on reducing the size of the federal workforce, while roughly 3 in 10 think he is on target and 14% want him to go even further.
Retiree Susan Wolf, 75, of Pennsylvania, believes the federal government is too big but Musk has “made a mess of everything.”
7 comments
Foghorn Leghorn
April 27, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Musk was doing good work. Democrats showed their colors, big government and a
bloated work force is their preference. Funny how most people that drive Tesla’s tend to be tree hugger, green energy Democrats. Boy they sure turned on him when they realized he was conservative leaning.
Earl Pitts American
April 27, 2025 at 7:36 pm
So true Foghorn,
Prior to DOGE most Tesla owners were members of the LBGTQ-MS-13 also.
Thanks Fog, Earl
Michael K
April 27, 2025 at 5:05 pm
Did you know that Elon is poised to get a huge Verizon FAA contract as a result? Did you know he went after NTTSB because of multiple fatality investigations over Tesla self driving PROBLEMS? Did you know Space X stands to make millions because of his interference with NASA? Did you know that “x” is now the only official social media communication for several federal agencies, or that it is now in the WH press pool as a result? Did you know that Elon stands to cancel broadband for the rural internet program in favor of Starlink, which gives him control to censor and make billions? Not to mention the fact that he has had access to the most private and confidential data in the federal government with no Congressional approval, oversight, or security clearances. If you are not alarmed by what $280 million payoff to Trump has brought about, you are not paying attention, don’t care, or you are asleep at the wheel.
Foghorn Leghorn
April 27, 2025 at 5:56 pm
Penalize success. That is what socialism does
Earl Pitts American
April 27, 2025 at 7:19 pm
Did you know the above artical is an a. p. piece of “DOOK 4 BRAINS LEFTIST JOURNALISM”? How much longer the a. p. can stay in business is anyones guess.
Earl Pitts American
Florida's Finest Pole Dancers
April 27, 2025 at 8:29 pm
Thank you Mr. America,
Many folks think us babes in the lucatrive profession of adult entertainment are not political. Truth be told we are 97% MAGA and we appriciate a man like you Mr America who gives us the truth Straight and Hard.
We rely on you for the truth. Next time you are in town stop by The Pink Pony I got something I forgot to give you last time, Kiki La’Shay
PeterH
April 27, 2025 at 8:50 pm
It’s time for Republicans and MAGA crowd to support Musk’s Teslas. Most common sense Americans are ashamed to be seen in one….. never mind owning a Tesla!