Elon Musk Becomes Political Liability as Democrats Rally Against His Federal Overhaul

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is emerging as a major liability for President Donald Trump’s new administration, as polling indicates widespread voter opposition to his takeover of key federal systems. According to a Politico report on Thursday, Democrats are seizing the moment to rally behind an anti-Musk message, uniting against his influence in the White House.

Musk, who leads the controversial “Department of Government Efficiency” task force, has already sparked public outrage. His team has taken control of crucial government systems, including the IT infrastructure responsible for handling most Treasury Department payments. Additionally, Musk’s proposed “deferred resignation” plan, which aimed to pressure large portions of the civil service to step down, was blocked by a federal judge just hours before its deadline.

“Armed with new polling showing Musk’s popularity in the toilet, key Democratic leaders are going after the top adviser to President Donald Trump who is dismantling the federal government,” the report states. Lawmakers are now working to subpoena Musk and introduce legislation to bar him from receiving federal contracts while serving in his current role overseeing Trump’s cost-cutting initiatives.

Democrats emphasize that they are not opposed to government audits aimed at reducing waste and fraud. However, they argue that Musk’s aggressive restructuring efforts are less about efficiency and more about consolidating power within a select group of ultra-wealthy individuals.

Criticism of Musk’s role is coming from across the political spectrum. House Oversight ranking member Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) delivered a scathing rebuke: “This guy who says he’s your champion has hired a billionaire from South Africa who doesn’t give a damn about you or your family and is proving it every hour of the day.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), a moderate Democrat, didn’t hold back in his remarks, calling Musk an “unelected, weirdo billionaire” who is “swinging left and right and smashing things.” Even Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), a lawmaker representing Silicon Valley and previously close with Musk, criticized his actions, writing on social media that Musk’s “attacks on our institutions are unconstitutional.”

Polling suggests Musk’s influence is widely unpopular. A Hart Research survey found that 54% of voters view him unfavorably, while a YouGov poll revealed that 60% of Republican voters want him to have little to no influence in the administration.

Internal Democratic polling further underscores the issue’s potency, with 70% of voters opposing “the creation of a government of the rich for the rich by appointing up to nine different billionaires to the administration.” As opposition mounts, Musk’s role in Trump’s government is quickly becoming a focal point for Democrats heading into the next election cycle.