🚨 He was seen as a visionary genius. Today, he is criticized as a mogul too close to power. Elon Musk, the king of Tesla and SpaceX, is seeing his popularity collapse. In just a few months, he has lost the support of a large part of public opinion. An AP-NORC poll reveals: only 33% of Americans still have a favorable opinion of him, down from 41% at the end of 2023.
But then… what has changed? Why does the man of rockets, electric cars, and Martian ambitions divide so much?
🚀 From tech genius to political pawn: Musk’s risky trajectory
Everything had started so well. Musk, an entrepreneur from South Africa, exploded with PayPal, then revolutionized the automobile with Tesla, pushed the limits of space with SpaceX, and tackled the human brain with Neuralink. He is hailed as the Steve Jobs of the 21st century.
Then comes politics. Trump’s election opens a breach. Musk gets involved, gets closer to power, creates the DOGE (Department of Governmental Efficiency), fires thousands of civil servants… and causes a rupture.
📉 The upsetting numbers
| 📊 Indicator | 📉 Trend |
|---|---|
| National favorable opinion | 33% (down from 41% 6 months ago) |
| Republican opinion | 70% favorable |
| Democratic opinion | Total collapse |
| Perception of excessive influence | 2 out of 3 Americans agree |
It’s clear: the charm is broken. Musk is no longer the brilliant outsider. He is seen by many as a dangerous political actor.
🔥 A man who disturbs… even his fans
“He made so much noise for so little.” – Susan, retiree
“He is straying from tech to become a caricature of himself.” – Ernest, technician
Musk’s political obsession is costly: in reputation, trust, and results. Even Tesla feels the effects. Investors are worried, customers are doubtful. Too much Musk… kills the Musk.
⚖️ Too much influence? Criticism is piling up
- ❌ Massive budget cuts in public services
- âť— Perceived manipulation in political decisions
- 🌀 Ambiguity on climate, despite an eco-friendly past
- 🔥 DOGE seen as a brutal bureaucratic purge
His style? Brutal, direct, polarizing. His ambition? To redefine government as he has redefined industry. But the state is not a startup.
📉 Back to Tesla: end of the political adventure?
Officially, Musk wants to “rebalance his priorities” and refocus on Tesla, Neuralink, SpaceX… Unofficially, those close to him say he will only dedicate 1 to 2 days/week to politics.
But the damage is done. And the reconquest won’t be easy.
🧠What people really expect from him
| 🧠Camp | 🎯 Expectation |
|---|---|
| 🚀 Tech lovers | That he returns to innovation and leaves Washington |
| đź’µ Investors | That he restores Tesla’s financial performance |
| 🌍 General public | That he stops playing authoritarian politician |
⚠️ Musk: broken genius or strategic phoenix?
Everything can still change. Musk remains one of the most influential men in the world. But his goodwill capital is running out. By playing with the codes of power, he risks losing what made him strong: the shared vision.
And you, Musk: still a hero or become a problem?
Hello, my name is Manon, I’m 40 years old and I’m a journalist specializing in current affairs. Passionate about news and investigative reporting, I strive to cover a wide range of topics with rigor and integrity. My goal is to provide insightful analysis and contribute to an informed public debate.
