6 in 10 say Musk lacks experience, judgment to change government: Survey

Most Americans have a negative opinion of tech billionaire Elon Musk and question his qualifications as the key White House adviser works to overhaul the federal government, according to a new poll.

The CNN/SSRS survey, published Wednesday, found about 38 percent of respondents believe Musk, who has emerged as a key ally for President Trump, has the experience and judgement to "make changes to the way government works."

On the opposite side, 62 percent of respondents said Musk lacks the experience needed for the role, and 61 percent doubt the Tesla CEO's judgment, including 28 percent who agree that changes in the federal government are needed, according to the poll.

Trump originally tapped Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which seeks to weed out government waste, fraud and abuse. DOGE has since taken on new leadership, according to the administration, but is still supported by his guidance.

DOGE's controversial moves thus far have included mass firings of federal workers, the shuttering of foreign aid programs and funding freezes, among other sweeping actions.

When it comes to approval, just 35 percent of those surveyed said they have a favorable opinion of Musk, compared to 53 percent who said the opposite. Another 11 percent said they had no opinion, the survey found.

The negative marks spanned most age, gender and race demographics, except white respondents without college degrees, who were split evenly on the question, the data shows.

Musk, who was born in South Africa, has often appeared at Trump’s side at the White House, including during a recent Cabinet meeting and an Oval Office event with reporters. He's also frequented Mar-a-Lago, the president’s private home and resort in Palm Beach, Fla.

Trump remarked on the political rise of Musk, who was a major backer of his 2024 campaign, during his victory speech in November.

“We have a new star,” Trump said. “A star is born — Elon!”

But, as the latest poll indicates, the public largely hasn't shared that vision.

Musk, who owns six businesses — including Tesla, SpaceX and the social platform X — said during a Fox Business interview on Monday that he’s maintaining his business interests "with great difficulty" amid the White House spotlight.

Trump announced plans over the weekend to personally buy a Tesla vehicle as a show of support for Musk’s companies amid political blowback over the billionaire's role in the administration’s dramatic government overhaul.

“This man has devoted his energy and his life to doing this, and I think he has been treated unfairly,” Trump told reporters while standing next to Musk and a row of Tesla vehicles parked outside the White House, including a bright red Model S Plaid sport sedan that Trump picked to purchase.

Protesters have vandalized Tesla automobiles, and the company’s stock has plummeted — suffering its largest drop in more than four years on Monday.

Musk, who had largely shied away from the political world in the past, endorsed Trump’s reelection bid in July after the president survived an apparent assassination attempt at a campaign rally. He said last month that while the shooting "sped" up his support, he was "going to do it anyway."

The New York Times, citing anonymous sources in the administration, reported Tuesday that Musk plans to contribute $100 million to groups aligned with Trump’s political operation.

The latest CNN poll surveyed 1,206 U.S. adults from March 6-9, and it has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points.

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