Poll: Tech CEOs, DOGE

This Navigator Research report contains polling data on the latest perceptions of tech CEO and billionaire influence in the Trump administration, including how much influence they have and whether it is a good or bad thing, as well as the share of Americans who know someone who has been affected by government cuts. 

Majorities of Americans view Musk’s and other tech CEOs’ involvement in the Trump administration as a bad thing.

Three in four Americans believe Elon Musk and other tech CEOs have influence in the Trump administration (74 percent), including 47 percent who believe they have “a lot” of influence, up 10 points from earlier this month (37 percent). By 16 points, a majority of Americans view the influence of tech CEOs like Musk as a bad thing (36 percent good thing – 52 percent bad thing), including 83 percent of Democrats, 52 percent of independents, and 20 percent of Republicans.

• Elon Musk’s favorability is underwater by 10 points (41 percent favorable – 51 percent unfavorable), including among independents by 24 points (30 percent favorable – 54 percent unfavorable) and those who voted for another candidate or who did not vote in the 2024 presidential election by 28 points (26 percent favorable – 54 percent unfavorable).

• Views of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are slightly favorable (net +4; 40 percent favorable – 36 percent unfavorable) as are ratings of just “DOGE” (net +3; 37 percent favorable – 34 percent unfavorable), but when framed as “Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),” favorability is underwater by 9 points points (37 percent favorable – 46 percent unfavorable) and when framed as “Elon Musk’s DOGE,” favorability is even further underwater (net -13; 35 percent favorable – 48 percent unfavorable).

One in five Americans know someone who has lost access to federal services, with shares much higher among younger Americans.

20 percent of Americans know someone (either themselves, a close friend or family member, or an acquaintance) who has lost access to federal services, such as health care. This includes 33 percent of Americans under the age of 35. 17 percent of Americans also cited knowing someone who had been laid off or quit a government job, including 29 percent of Americans under the age of 35. 

• Reminder: Three in four younger Americans are concerned that DOGE’s spending cuts will lead to repealing the ACA or bigger cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security (75 percent and 74 percent, respectively).