Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of multiple companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, is facing a significant decline in popularity among Americans. According to a recent poll by Nate Silver's Silver Bulletin, 53.5% of Americans now view Musk unfavorably, with only 39.6% holding a favorable view of him.

This marks a significant shift in public opinion, with Musk's unpopularity increasing by 15.5 percentage points since the beginning of 2024. The decline in his popularity is largely attributed to his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an organization that has been criticized for its role in tearing through the US government administrative state.

Musk's heavy support for President Trump's second presidential campaign, including paying voters, has also contributed to the decline in his popularity. Additionally, his work at DOGE has been met with widespread criticism, with many accusing him of attempting to access sensitive areas of the government, including IRS records, the US Treasury's payments system, and the US Social Security Administration.

The Silver Bulletin poll is not an isolated finding, with other outlets such as Fox News, Politico, and Axios also reporting a decline in Musk's popularity. The impact of this decline is already being felt, with Musk's attempt to bolster a conservative Supreme Court candidate in Wisconsin backfiring. According to a poll published by The Washington Post, more than half of voters in the state disapproved of his involvement, and about a third said it made them less likely to vote for the conservative justice.

The electoral consequences of Musk's declining popularity are already being felt, with the Democrat-backed candidate Susan Crawford winning the Wisconsin Supreme Court election by 10 points, preserving the court's 4-3 liberal majority. This outcome is seen as a significant blow to Republicans, who had hoped to gain control of the court.

The decline in Musk's popularity has significant implications for the tech industry, where he has been a dominant figure for many years. His involvement in DOGE and his support for President Trump's campaign have raised questions about his commitment to democratic values and his willingness to use his wealth and influence to shape political outcomes.

As Musk's popularity continues to decline, it remains to be seen how this will impact his businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX. However, one thing is clear: Elon Musk is no longer the beloved figure he once was, and his actions are now being met with widespread criticism and skepticism.

In the coming months, it will be important to watch how Musk responds to this decline in popularity and whether he will attempt to rebuild his image or continue down a path that is increasingly at odds with the values of many Americans.