WASHINGTON — A recent survey reveals a decline in Elon Musk’s popularity among Republicans following a public disagreement with former President Donald Trump. Previously praised as a proponent of government efficiency, Musk is now viewed less favorably by some within the GOP, according to a poll conducted by the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Musk’s disapproval of a key Republican-led tax and spending initiative, along with his vocal criticism of Trump, seems to have dimmed enthusiasm. Katye Long, a Republican from Alabama, expressed waning support for Musk, stating, “I liked when he was helping but now I feel he’s kind of hurting.” Musk remains an affluent opinion leader, although not a government official, influencing perceptions with his online statements.
While Musk’s overall popularity remains steady, his electric vehicle company, Tesla, faces challenges. Half of American respondents hold a negative view of Tesla, with fewer having a favorable opinion. The car manufacturer has experienced a decrease in stock value and faced protests both domestically and abroad, impacting its public image.
Republicans’ enthusiasm for Musk has cooled slightly, alongside a mild reduction in Democrats’ disapproval. This could affect Musk’s potential future political engagements, given his $200 million contribution to Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Musk’s ire was sparked by the GOP’s tax and budget policies, criticized as “a disgusting abomination.” He suggested on his social media platform that unfaithfully serving politicians should be ousted. The survey showed a drop in favorable views among Republicans from 38% to 26% since April, while Democratic antipathy decreased modestly from 74% to 65%.
The conflict between Musk and Trump extends to Tesla’s business realm, as the brand struggles with market perceptions and dwindling European sales amid rising interest in electric vehicles. Kansas City resident Victoria Brown associates Tesla unfavorably with Trump’s policies, rejecting the collaboration.
Overall, Musk’s approval ratings remain unchanged, with approximately one-third of adults viewing him favorably, contrary to the unfavorable stance of about six in ten.
The conflict arose after Musk left his governmental role and attacked Trump’s legislative agenda. Musk’s critique of Trump’s budget bill followed an Oval Office commendation, expressing dissatisfaction over being excluded from the decision process.
Musk inflammatory and unsupported claims regarding Trump’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, which he later removed, further fueled the feud. Although retracting these statements, Musk acknowledged overstepping.
Negative perceptions of Tesla persist, with the company seeing greater disfavor compared to competitors like Ford and General Motors. Democrat Marisa Mills from California criticized Musk’s strategy and relocation of Tesla in response to pandemic restrictions, regretting her previous pride in the local production.
The NORC poll, conducted in early June among 1,158 adults, reflects a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, portraying a landscape of shifting opinions on Musk and Tesla.