Elon Musk's popularity plummets as he goes full MAGA; his favorability plunges in the negative zone, says new poll

Once shining bright in the public eye, Elon Musk's image has sharply plummeted. His favorability rating has now entered the negative zone, based on a new poll.

According to a Quinnipiac University survey released on January 29, the majority, 53% of registered voters disapprove of Musk taking a prominent role in Donald Trump's administration, while only 39% approve.

This stands in stark contrast to the Musk of 2016, who had enjoyed a +29 favorability rating. According to the Independent report, since Musk started to be closely aligned with US president Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, his popularity has been trending downward.


Once the visionary behind companies like SpaceX and Tesla, the billionaire is now a polarizing figure and people now question his political leanings and public stance. During a 2015 Vanity Fair panel discussion, Musk said “I get involved in politics as little as possible,”

Musk's shift toward MAGA has coincided with his increasing involvement in politics, as per the report. He previously kept his political views to himself but after he bought Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it to X, things started to change. He reinstated Trump's Twitter account and started being outspoken about supporting Trump.

He also contributed more than $290 million to Trump and his MAGA allies in the campaign, reported The Independent.

As per the survey, people are not happy with Musk's role in the Trump administration to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His favourable rating is at -11, a marked reversal from where it was before he became pro-MAGA.

Musk is now so pro-MAGA that he has even urged Europe to follow suit and create its own “MEGA” movement: Make Europe Great Again, reported The Independent.

FAQs

What is MAGA?
MAGA stands for "Make America Great Again," a slogan popularized by former President Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign. It represents a political movement focused on American nationalism, advocating for policies aimed at restoring what supporters see as the country’s former strength and prosperity.

Why is Elon Musk's popularity dropping?
Musk's favorability has dropped due to his increasing alignment with Trump and the MAGA movement, as per a survey. His outspoken political views and financial support for Trump’s campaigns have polarized public opinion, shifting his image from a tech innovator to a more controversial figure, as per reports.