Elon Musk Loses Political Favor Amid GOP Criticism, Cuts 200,000 Government Jobs

Elon Musk, once a prominent figure in Donald Trump’s second administration and a frequent topic in Republican political discourse, has seen his influence and popularity significantly decline. Trump and his allies have all but stopped mentioning Musk in public communications and social media since early April, signaling a dramatic distancing from the tech billionaire amid his political setbacks, including a failed investment in a Wisconsin state race. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) faced sharp criticism for its aggressive government spending cuts and mass layoffs, with some Republicans acknowledging the necessity of cuts but condemning the lack of compassion in execution. Public perception of Musk has also shifted markedly, as noted by Barry Diller, who contrasted Musk’s celebrity status at the 2024 US Open with the hostility he would face today due to backlash against his government spending plans. Despite Musk’s political retreat, he has leveraged his government connections to remove regulations and secure federal contracts for his businesses, though his political future remains uncertain amid skepticism about his total withdrawal from politics. This decline in Musk’s political clout reflects broader Republican disengagement, with some insiders describing him as politically toxic and unpopular among voters.