Americans hold mixed opinions on Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Musk remains a polarizing figure, while Zuckerberg faces broad disapproval across party lines. In fact, the relationship between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg has been closely observed by the public.
A recent Pew Research Center survey conducted from Jan. 27 to Feb. 2, 2025, reveals shifting attitudes. Over half of U.S. adults (54%) view Musk unfavorably, while 42% see him favorably. Meanwhile, two-thirds (66%) hold an unfavorable opinion of Zuckerberg. Opinions about Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg continue to evolve.
MUSK’S FAVORABILITY SPLIT BY PARTY
Musk, the head of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), is now a “special government employee” under the Trump administration. He leads the Department of Government Efficiency, focusing on cutting federal spending. His political role has sharpened partisan views.
Among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, 73% view Musk favorably. Among conservative Republicans, the number climbs to 84%. In contrast, just 12% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have a favorable opinion of Musk. A staggering 85% of Democrats view him negatively. When looking at opinions on Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, one sees clear partisan divides.
ZUCKERBERG FACES BIPARTISAN DISAPPROVAL
Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, also remains in the public eye. His decision to end fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram has fueled political debates.
Unlike Musk, Zuckerberg’s unpopularity spans both parties. Around 76% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans hold an unfavorable opinion of him. Even among liberal Democrats, disapproval reaches 87%. Only 34% of Republicans and 17% of Democrats see him favorably.
GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN OPINION
Age also plays a role in shaping views. Younger adults tend to be more critical of both tech leaders.
- Musk: 67% of adults under 30 disapprove of Musk. That number drops to 53% among those aged 30-49 and 49% for those 50 and older. Among young Republicans, 47% have a negative view of Musk, compared to 23% of Republicans aged 30-49 and 16% of those over 50.
- Zuckerberg: Disapproval is high across all age groups. Among those under 30, 70% view him negatively. The sentiment is similar among those 30-49 (72%) and those over 50 (62%).
AMERICANS’ FAMILIARITY WITH TECH GIANTS
Few Americans are unfamiliar with either figure. Only 3% say they’ve never heard of Musk, while 6% say the same for Zuckerberg. Their influence is widely recognized, but opinions remain divided. Many Americans frequently discuss the impact of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
These findings highlight a broader trend in public sentiment toward tech leaders. Musk’s alignment with the Trump administration has solidified partisan divides. Meanwhile, Zuckerberg’s decisions at Meta continue to draw bipartisan criticism.
As tech companies shape politics, their leaders’ public standing will remain a key issue. Their influence, whether in government or digital platforms, continues to spark debate. The evolving perceptions of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg indicate a lasting impact on public opinion.
