Elon Musk's Favorability Drops 8% in Six Months, 65% Americans Say His Influence Excessive

Elon Musk's popularity has plummeted in recent months, with only 33% of American adults expressing a favorable opinion of him, according to a survey conducted by the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. This marks a significant decline from the 41% who viewed him positively in December of the previous year.

The survey highlights a growing sentiment among Americans that Musk has exerted too much influence over the federal government in recent months. Approximately 65% of adults believe that his impact has been excessive, although this influence is expected to wane as he is anticipated to step down from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the coming weeks.

Musk's unpopularity is particularly pronounced when compared to the broader effort to reduce the federal workforce. About half of American adults think that the current administration has gone too far in cutting federal jobs, while around 30% believe it has achieved the right balance, and 14% wish for even more reductions.

Critics like Susan Wolf, a 75-year-old retiree from Pennsylvania, argue that while the government may be too large, Musk's approach has been chaotic. "I don't trust him," she said. "I feel like he doesn't know what he's doing." Wolf believes that Musk's success in the private sector does not translate to effective governance. "He thinks running the government is like running a business. But it's not. One is for the people, the other is for the company."

The survey also reveals a partisan divide in opinions about Musk. Only about 20% of independents and 10% of Democrats view him favorably, compared to about 70% of Republicans. Similarly, while around 70% of independents and 90% of Democrats think Musk's influence has been too great, only about 40% of Republicans share this view.

Republicans are less likely than Democrats to be concerned about recent cuts to federal agencies, services, or funding. Only 11% of Republicans express "extreme" or "very" high concern that they or someone they know will be affected, compared to about two-thirds of Democrats and 44% of independents.