Elon Musk’s public image has reached its lowest point since 2024, as new polling shows that the billionaire’s favorability has plunged following his involvement in President Donald Trump‘s administration and subsequent departure.
Once a relatively popular figure across political lines, Musk now finds himself with a net favorability rating of -18.1, according to data compiled by Nate Silver‘s Silver Bulletin.
Why It Matters
Musk’s decline in popularity comes in the wake of his public support for Trump during the 2024 election and his appointment as a “special government employee,” where he functioned as the informal head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The decision to align with Trump, and later publicly break from him, has led to political backlash and scrutiny from multiple fronts.
Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images
What To Know
As of June 25, 55.1 percent of Americans viewed Elon Musk unfavorably, while 37 percent had a favorable opinion—a sharp shift from early 2024, when the numbers were roughly even, according to Silver Bulletin.
“Musk is still popular among Republicans, but he’s less popular than he used to be and less popular than other Republican figures,” elections analyst Eli McKown-Dawson wrote.
Although Musk remains in positive territory with Republicans, his support has dropped significantly following his public fallout with Trump. The rift escalated this month after Musk suggested Trump was “in the Epstein files,” prompting Trump to threaten Musk’s government contracts and subsidies.
Silver called the split “predictable,” writing on Substack that Musk “got nothing out of this; Trump used Musk and then dumped him.”
Musk has claimed he helped Trump win, saying, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election.” Silver pushed back: “Elon’s money certainly didn’t help in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race.” Musk reportedly donated about $300 million to Republican causes in 2024.
Silver also questioned Musk’s political future. Though Musk has floated launching a centrist third party, Silver wrote: “He has no particular eye for which issues resonate with voters, he’s too mercurial, he isn’t popular, he has all sorts of personal liabilities.”
The feud has had financial fallout. Tesla shares fell more than 15 percent in a single day—including after-hours trading—following news of Musk’s departure from the administration. Investors are divided between preferring Musk focus on his businesses and hoping political ties would bring regulatory perks.
What People Are Saying
Nate Silver and Eli McKown-Dawson, in Silver Bulletin: “Musk became significantly less popular among Republicans post-feud. His numbers among other groups remained fairly consistent.”
Carter Wrenn, longtime Republican strategist, told Newsweek: “Polls are showing Musk’s popularity is upside down. That could definitely be a problem—especially with swing voters, independents and ticket-splitters. Musk, personally, carries some negative baggage that could hurt.”
