Elon Musk's Government Overhaul: Public Opinion Plummets

Summary:

Elon Musk's appointment as head of President Trump's new government efficiency commission has sparked controversy and dwindling public support. A recent poll reveals that 46% of Americans now want Musk to have no influence on Trump's administration, up from 37% in November.

Popularity Decline:

* Only 13% of respondents now hope Musk has a lot of influence on Trump, down from 27% in November.
* Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike have become more skeptical of Musk's involvement.
* Among Republicans, the share supporting Musk's influence has dropped by 21 percentage points.

Opposition from Within:

* Steve Bannon, a Trump adviser, calls Musk "a truly evil person" and aims to distance him from the president.
* Bannon accuses Musk of self-serving opportunism and lack of commitment to populism.

Aggressive Tactics:

* Musk has embraced trolling and counter-trolling as he becomes a Trump proxy.
* He has sparked controversy by changing his social media bio to "White House Tech Support."

Potential Risks:

* Musk's access to government computer systems raises concerns about data privacy.
* Critics warn that DOGE's (Musk's commission) activities may be illegal and unconstitutional.
* Lawsuits challenging DOGE's actions are underway.

Government Shutdown Risk:

* DOGE has effectively suspended the US Agency for International Development, putting its $40 billion budget and 10,000 employees at risk.
* DOGE's demands for federal employee resignations and access to sensitive financial systems have raised alarm.

Political Divide:

* Supporters of Musk's mission to reduce government spending remain hopeful.
* Opponents argue that his aggressive tactics could dismantle crucial social programs.