Are Trump and Musk’s Reckless Policies Backfiring? New Polls Say Yes

Trump and Musk’s Approval Ratings Plummet as Public Recoils From Chaos
Three months into Donald Trump’s second term, a bombshell University of Massachusetts Amherst poll reveals growing discontent with the president and his controversial ally Elon Musk. From economic turmoil to fears of oligarchy, Americans are losing patience with their disruptive governance. Let’s dive in.

📉 The Approval Crisis: By the Numbers
New data shows Trump and Musk facing historic backlash:

• 🚨 Trump’s tanking ratings: 51% disapprove vs. 44% approve, with 62% criticizing his inflation response and 58% slamming trade policies
• 💸 Economic disillusionment: Stock market crashes and stagnant grocery prices undermine "Make America Wealthy Again" promises
• 👥 Democracy in peril: 49% believe Trump is weakening U.S. democracy, while 65% oppose his potential third-term bid
• 😡 Musk’s meltdown: Public gives him a 37/100 favorability score — below transgender Americans (45) and both political parties (41)

✅ Can This Duo Recover? Potential Exit Strategies
While their positions look precarious, here’s what they might try:

• 📈 Trump’s economic Hail Mary: Pivot from tariffs to stimulus, though 53% distrust Musk-led budget cuts
• 🤝 Musk’s image rehab: Halt attacks on federal workers (who enjoy 58% approval) and abandon Social Security cuts opposed by 70%
• 🇺🇸 Constitutional chess: 93% of Democrats and 36% of Republicans want Trump to abandon third-term fantasies

⚠️ Roadblocks Ahead: Why Their Plans Could Fail
Key challenges threatening their agenda:

• 🚧 Musk’s liability status: 59% believe he’s exploiting government ties for personal gain
• 💥 Policy blowback: Failed Wisconsin judge appointments and tariff rebellions strain Trump-Musk unity
• 🔥 Base erosion: 26% of Trump voters express buyer’s remorse, while Musk gets branded "evil" and "greedy" in open responses

📉 Final Verdict: A Partnership Running on Fumes?
The data suggests Trump and Musk are accelerating toward a political cliff:

• 📉 If they maintain course: Economic anxiety and oligarchy fears (45% agree U.S. fits the definition) could trigger midterm wipeouts
• 🚀 If they pivot: Ditching unpopular austerity measures and distancing from corporate overreach might stabilize ratings

With Musk’s favorability down 5 points since October 2024 and Trump’s base cracking, one question remains — will they change tactics, or double down on disruption? What’s your prediction?

Let us know on X (Former Twitter)

Sources: Miles Klee. Musk and Trump Are Increasingly Unpopular, New Polling Finds, 2025. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/musk-trump-increasingly-unpopular-new-poll-1235317605/