Summary
Multiple polls show that a significant portion of Americans oppose Elon Musk’s influence in government, particularly through DOGE.
A CBS/YouGov poll found that nearly half of respondents want Musk to have little or no influence, with opinions split along party lines.
Other polls from The Economist, Quinnipiac, and advocacy groups also reveal broad concerns over Musk’s power and lack of oversight.
Meanwhile, the White House continues to defend Musk and selectively highlight poll results that support Trump’s administration while ignoring criticism.
I live in a solidly conservative area and I heard a surprising but also encouraging conversation this morning at the doctor’s office.
When I walked in, there were a handful of folks in the waiting area and they were talking supportively of JD Vance, so presumably conservative voters. It was off putting for me and I was immediately a bit irritated that I can’t even go to the doctor without having to listen to this bullshit.
But as the conversation continued, they actually started talking about how super wealthy people worth hundreds of millions aren’t paying their fair share of taxes, how they’re ruining towns and making middle class people pay for it, and things like that. Specifically they were talking about some of the environmental damage done to waterways by rich people (they mentioned someone specific but it wasn’t a name I am familiar with and I don’t recall what it was) and how the clean-up is being paid for by middle class tax payers.
So, while we might all disagree substantially on a lot of topics, I think a disdain for super wealthy / elites not paying their fair share is some common ground to build on.
That is pretty common when you hear conservatives talk. You often agree about the issues, but then you suddenly hear crazy conspiracy theories about why everything is the fault of immigrants, jews, trans people or whatever.
When conservatives talk about the rich and powerful being bad, its often about some “globalists”, “George Soros”, “World Economic Forum”, “Liberals”, … than just the system being bad.
That is the reason why the leftist critique should always focus on the system, not specific people or groups.
I’ve also heard conservatives complain about Trump’s plans in Gaza because “my taxes are going to give free condos to them! 😡” while also saying the government military spending is something they support without understanding how USAID is part of the MIC they seem to claim to support. Some seem to think spending money on bombing others is how you make America safe instead of making it more dangerous…