Republican voters are choosing sides
Elon Musk’s popularity among conservatives took a serious hit this week after the tech billionaire openly criticized President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, a sweeping border security and tax reform package backed by House Republicans.
According to a new poll from YouGov, Musk’s net favorability among Republican voters plunged by nearly 20 points, signaling a major shift in conservative sentiment. The poll shows that Trump’s America First base is rallying behind the President, while Musk’s influence is rapidly fading.
Musk vs. Trump: A Political Rift with Real Consequences
The fallout began when Musk raised concerns about the legislation’s potential impact on the national debt. The bill includes extensions of Trump’s historic tax cuts, major investments in border wall construction, and increased funding for immigration enforcement—all top priorities for the conservative base.
Musk’s remarks were seen as a direct attack on Trump’s agenda, and GOP voters took notice.
In just one week, Musk’s favorability among Republicans dropped from 76% to 67%, while his unfavorability rose from 18% to 28%. Among all adults, his numbers are even worse—with a steep decline from -9 to -23 in overall favorability.
Poll: GOP Voters Stand Firmly with Trump
The poll, conducted between June 6 and June 9, found that a staggering 74% of Republican respondents support President Trump in this feud, while only 6% side with Musk. It surveyed 1,533 U.S. adults and carries a margin of error of ±3.5%.
This sharp divide underscores how central Trump remains to the Republican movement—and how risky it is for high-profile figures like Musk to challenge him.
Musk’s Regrets After Going Too Far
Just months ago, Musk was considered a rising conservative star. Trump even appointed him to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a task force focused on eliminating wasteful federal spending.
But after stepping down from that role, Musk took to his X platform to criticize the President and make controversial claims—including accusing the White House of withholding documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. He even suggested Trump would have lost the 2024 election without his financial backing.
On Wednesday, Musk backtracked.
“I went too far with some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week, and I regret it,” Musk admitted.
He didn’t clarify which specific posts he regretted. However, his reversal followed strong criticism from both Republican officials and conservative voters.
Trump Responds: “No Hard Feelings”
Despite the clash, President Trump appeared magnanimous.
Speaking with Miranda Devine on Pod Force One, Trump said:
“I have no hard feelings. But I was really surprised that that happened.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Newsweek that Musk’s criticisms stemmed from his disappointment over the bill not reflecting his personal policy preferences.
“This has been a disappointing turn from Elon, who appears frustrated that the One Big Beautiful Bill doesn’t contain the business-related provisions he was pushing for. President Trump remains committed to advancing this landmark legislation and keeping his focus on restoring American greatness.”
Will Musk and Trump Reconcile?
While both men have ceased public attacks, it remains unclear whether their relationship can be mended. For now, Republican voters have made their choice, and they are standing solidly with President Donald Trump, his America First agenda, and his push for strong borders, lower taxes, and government accountability.