Polls consistently show that Americans don’t want an unelected billionaire like Elon Musk or DOGE in the Government
Recent polls are showing a growing disapproval of Elon Musk and his associates at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with many Americans calling for less influence over government operations.
A new CBS/YouGov poll reveals that almost 50% of participants believe Musk should have limited influence on how government funds are spent and operations are managed, with a significant portion—31%—believing he should have no involvement at all. Support varies across political lines, with most Republicans supporting Musk’s influence, while the majority of Democrats are opposed. This trend mirrors findings from other surveys, such as one from the Economist/YouGov, showing that 51% think Musk has too much sway, and another, from progressive groups, finding that more than half of voters view him negatively.
This sentiment is further supported by a Quinnipiac poll, which shows that over 50% of respondents disapprove of Musk’s prominent role under the Trump administration, and a majority do not favor billionaires influencing government policy. As Clara Jeffery of Mother Jones pointed out earlier this week, “nobody voted for Musk, an unelected tech billionaire.” The latest data offers a sharp rebuke to the chaos Musk and his team at DOGE and across the government have created since Trump’s presidency began.
The chaotic actions linked to Musk’s leadership within DOGE continue to fuel public frustration. These include attempts to pressure federal workers into quitting, controversial plans involving USAID, and claims like those made by Musk on X that the Education Department is “nonexistent.” His team’s actions have made headlines, particularly after Marko Elez resigned over racist posts that were discovered, only for Musk to quickly reinstate him.
The CBS/YouGov poll also highlights widespread opposition to other Trump policies, such as the proposal to build large detention centers and the suggestion for US involvement in Gaza. Despite these results, the White House has continued to frame the poll data positively, pointing to Trump’s approval ratings and support for his campaign promises, while conveniently ignoring or downplaying the negative aspects of public opinion.
This selective promotion of favorable polling data by the White House raises questions about their commitment to truth and transparency. When addressing Musk’s role in government, they have continued to defend him, though they remain evasive when asked about his security clearance and oversight, particularly in light of recent actions taken by DOGE members. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, when asked about Musk’s security clearance, said she didn’t know and would have to check, but the White House has yet to provide clarification.
If these criticisms continue, the White House may eventually have to confront the growing dissatisfaction with Musk and the broader influence of oligarchs in the Trump administration.
Sources
https://poll.qu.edu/images/polling/us/us01292025_udik45.pdf
https://groundworkcollaborative.org/news/majority-of-voters-disapprove-of-elon-musk-believe-he-has-too-much-influence-on-the-trump-administration/
https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/51525-donald-trump-policies-actions-elon-musk-robert-f-kennedy-jr-federal-agencies-national-mood-flying-february-2-4-2025-economist-yougov-poll
