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Key Points:
- Elon Musk’s favorability among Republicans fell from 78% to 62% since March 2025, per a Quinnipiac University poll.
- The June 5-9, 2025, survey shows that 30% of U.S. voters view Musk favorably, with only 3% of Democrats approving, reflecting a biased divide.
- Musk donated almost $300 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign and admitted on X that some of his posts were “over the line,” apologizing for them.
A Quinnipiac University poll released June 11, 2025, shows Elon Musk’s favorability among Republicans dropped from 78% in March to 62% in June. Conducted from June 5 to 9, the survey of U.S. voters found that 30% hold a favorable view of Musk, down from 38% in March, according to CNBC. Only 3% of Democrats approve of the Tesla CEO, once seen as a green energy icon.
The decline follows Musk’s public clash with President Donald Trump and his exit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk’s falling out with Trump began over the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a multitrillion-dollar spending package. Musk called it a “budget-busting abomination” on X, claiming it would add $2.4 trillion to the deficit, per the Congressional Budget Office.
The feud escalated with Musk’s deleted posts, including false claims linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein and support for impeachment, per NBC News. On June 4, Musk apologized, saying his posts “went too far,” per Reuters. On X, @elonmusk urged focus on policy, not personal disputes.
DOGE Legacy and GOP Views
Musk led DOGE, aiming to cut $160 billion from the 2026 budget. Despite his exit, 80% of Republicans in the June poll rated DOGE’s work as excellent or good, down slightly from 82% in March, per Quinnipiac.
Musk’s $300 million in 2024 campaign donations through America PAC solidified his influence within the GOP, according to OpenSecrets. However, his clash with Trump threatened SpaceX and Tesla contracts worth $19 billion and $10 billion, according to NASA and the DOE, and alienated some of his supporters. On X, @GOPVoter12 criticized Musk’s “reckless tweets.”
Musk’s low 3% favorability among Democrats reflects his shift from being an environmental advocate to an ally of Trump. His Starlink support for Ukraine and Tesla’s EV leadership once appealed to liberals, per Bloomberg. Now, his DOGE role and X posts, like those backing Trump’s border policies, align him with conservatives. Democrats’ disapproval rating hit 89%, up from 82% in March, according to Quinnipiac. On X, @DemVoice1 called Musk a “GOP mouthpiece,” citing his campaign spending.
Tesla’s stock fell 8% on June 3, 2025, following Trump’s threats, but later recovered, according to Yahoo Finance. SpaceX’s $400 billion valuation remains at risk, given NASA contracts. House Speaker Mike Johnson urged reconciliation, fearing GOP splits, per Politico. On X, @BillAckman backed Musk’s DOGE work but urged calm. Musk’s potential 2026 election funding, as reported by The Hill, is a concern for Republicans.
Musk’s apology and Trump’s decision to retain Starlink at the White House, as reported by AP News, signal a de-escalation. However, Musk’s GOP favorability may not fully recover, according to Forbes’s article. The Senate’s review of the spending bill by July 4, 2025, could reignite tensions, per CNN. On X, @mkraju noted Musk’s influence remains strong despite the dip.