Arizona voters approve of tech billionaire Elon Musk's efforts within the Trump administration, according to an Engagious/Sago focus group conducted on February 11.
Why It Matters
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is a nongovernmental task force led by Musk, President Donald Trump's billionaire ally. It is working to cut wasteful federal spending and has been granted access to "sensitive Treasury data," including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems.
Musk has been working as a "special government employee," a White House official told the Associated Press and does not receive a paycheck for his work. Given his reported influence, Democratic lawmakers have accused Musk of mounting a "hostile takeover" of the government, a claim which he denies.
What To Know
Eight of the 11 focus group participants said they approved of Musk's efforts.
"It's a business person's perspective, someone who has been in many spaces and really knows how to break down and analyze things from a lot of different perspectives," participant Lance S. said.
Respondent Rebbecca K. said that Time magazine had "wasted paper" and time by publishing a photo on its front page of Musk behind the Resolute desk in the Oval Office.
One of the respondents disapproved of Musk, and two did not have an opinion. Some had concerns he was motivated by personal gain or that there were conflicts of interest due to his billion-dollar companies with government contracts.
The focus group of Arizona swing voters unanimously approved of Trump's actions since he took office 25 days ago. The 11 voters—eight independents, two Republicans and one Democrat—had all voted for former President Joe Biden in 2020 but switched to Trump last November.
"I agree we need the Constitution, and we need rules and procedures," said focus group participant Courtney L. "But at the same time, how are we going to make big changes? If someone like Trump [is] being unconventional, we need him to be doing these things, to be making these executive orders and making these big changes for big changes to happen."
Since Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, Musk has become an increasingly prominent figure in U.S. politics, attending rallies, speaking out on social media, and heading DOGE. More recently, Musk announced that USAID would shut down. He also said widespread fraud occurs in "federal entitlements" like Social Security.
Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon has warned Musk that he needs to be "careful" about cutting Medicaid as a "lot of MAGA" uses the health care plan.
On February 11, DOGE announced it had terminated 89 contracts worth $881 million with the Department of Education as part of its mission to tackle what it identifies as waste or fraud in government spending.
Musk also said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) "needs an overhaul," suggesting the alliance, founded during the Cold War, could be affected by the new U.S. administration's approach to America's global partnerships.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent approved Musk's access to the Treasury Department last week. It allows him and his team entry into a system responsible for trillions of dollars in government payments, including Social Security checks and tax refunds.
Musk spoke to reporters in the Oval Office this week alongside Trump and brought his young son, "X." The tech billion said that "too much information is made classified" and suggested that reducing the system would make bureaucracy more efficient.
Last week, top Democrats called out the "unelected shadow government" that has been "conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries unveiled a new bill called "Stop the Steal," which they say is "to prevent unlawful meddling in the Treasury Department's payment systems and protect Americans across the country."
That said, recent polling data from the Trafalgar Group and Insider Advantage poll, conducted between February 7-9, has shown that DOGE is gaining traction among voters. Of the respondents, 49 percent approved of the job Musk is doing at DOGE. Forty-four percent disapproved.
Another poll, conducted by Morning Consult poll among 2,000 registered voters and published on February 5, found that 46 percent of Americans don't approve of Musk's involvement in the government, compared with 41 percent who do.
What People Are Saying
Rich Thau, president of Engagious, who moderated the focus group: "These swing voters are delighted by Musk's Trump-endorsed government housecleaning. The prospects of a looming constitutional crisis is completely inconceivable to them."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told journalists: "Elon Musk is a great patriot. He is very interested in advancing the America First agenda...I hope to welcome Elon to the Pentagon very soon and his team."
Comedian Joe Rogan on his podcast: "He has $400 billion. I'm telling you, he's not going to steal your money. I'm telling you that's not what he's doing. He's a super genius that's been f***** with, and when you've been f***** with by these nitwits that hide behind one of these three letter agencies, then he helps Donald Trump get into office and goes, I want to find out what kind of corruption is really around. Well you f***** up"
Protester Laura Olson told Newsweek at the 50501 Movement protest in Boston: "Nobody elected Musk. He's destroying our government."
Steve Bannon on Thursday's episode of War Room: "Where are the DOGE cuts? We need them all. They've had enough time to identify at least the waste, fraud, and abuse in these different organizations. It doesn't have to be perfect."
What Happens Next
Musk's involvement is expected to continue generating backlash from Democrats, who have pushed back now with legislation. There have also been lawsuits against the Trump administration as a result of DOGE's efforts.
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About the writer
Monica is a Newsweek reporter based in Boston. Her focus is reporting on breaking news. Monica joined Newsweek in 2024. ... Read more