Special Poll
Support for Elon Musk’s Role in Trump Administration Declines Among Republicans: Poll
Elon Musk, the billionaire tech entrepreneur, was once seen by many Republicans as a key figure who could influence the direction of the Trump administration. However, new polling suggests that enthusiasm for Musk’s role has dropped significantly since the 2024 election.
A recent survey from The Economist/YouGov reveals that fewer Republicans now want Musk to have a major say in government decisions. Shortly after the election in November 2024, nearly half (47%) of Republican respondents said they wanted Musk to have “a lot” of influence in the administration. Another 29% supported him having “a little” influence, while 12% said he should have no role at all.
Fast forward to today, and those numbers have shifted dramatically. Only 26% of Republicans now say they want Musk to have a strong influence, while 43% think he should have a minor role. Meanwhile, the number of Republicans who believe Musk should have no influence at all has increased to 17%.
The decline in support isn’t limited to Republicans. Democrats and independent voters have also cooled on the idea of Musk playing a major role in the Trump administration. Just 6% of each group now say they want Musk to have a big influence, down from 15% of Democrats and 26% of independents back in November.
Overall, the latest poll shows that only 13% of Americans want Musk to have “a lot” of influence in the administration, while 25% are comfortable with him having a smaller role. A significant 46% of respondents prefer he have no influence at all.
This marks a notable shift from November, when 34% of Americans supported Musk having a major role in shaping government policy. At the time, 22% wanted him involved to a lesser degree, while 30% felt he should stay out of it completely.
Despite this change in public opinion, Musk is still widely perceived as having considerable influence in the Trump administration. According to the poll, 51% of Americans believe Musk holds “a lot” of power, including 78% of Democrats, 41% of independents, and 35% of Republicans.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Musk’s relationship with the administration will impact policy decisions—and whether public perception of his role will continue to shift.