A new poll reveals that Republican enthusiasm for tech mogul Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration has declined significantly.
While Musk was initially seen as a key figure in Trump’s efforts to overhaul the federal government, recent polling suggests that many conservatives are now rethinking the extent of his influence.
In the days following Trump’s victory, an Economist/YouGov poll found that 47% of Republicans wanted Musk to have “a lot” of influence in the administration, while 29% preferred “a little,” and only 12% wanted him to have “none at all.”
However, the latest survey, conducted in early February, shows a stark shift—only 26% of Republicans now want Musk to have “a lot” of influence, while 43% prefer he have “a little,” and 17% want him to have “none at all.”
Democrats and independents have also cooled on Musk’s influence.
Today, only 6% from each group want Musk to have “a lot” of influence in the Trump administration, down from 15% of Democrats and 26% of independents in November.
Despite the drop in support, a majority of Americans—51%—still perceive Musk as having significant influence over the Trump administration, including 78% of Democrats, 41% of independents, and 35% of Republicans.
Musk’s Aggressive Reforms Face Scrutiny
Since being appointed to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, Musk has spearheaded sweeping reforms aimed at reducing waste and bureaucracy. His actions, however, have stirred controversy.
Musk made headlines for locking federal workers out of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), an agency that receives funding through congressional appropriations.
He also gained access to the Treasury Department’s federal payment system and played a significant role in offering buyouts to federal employees as part of Trump’s broader push to shrink the government.
While these moves have been praised by conservatives who support cutting government waste, critics—including some within the Republican Party—are questioning the legal basis of Musk’s authority.
The Economist/YouGov poll surveyed 1,604 U.S. citizens from Feb. 2-4, 2025, with a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points.
