Elon Musk, once a near-daily fixture in political headlines and at the heart of Republican messaging, has seen his public profile noticeably decline in recent weeks, Politico reports.
While the Tesla and SpaceX CEO remains active in government initiatives and retains substantial influence, particularly within the Trump administration, his high-profile appearances and frequent mentions have largely tapered off.
In the early days of Donald Trump’s second term, Musk held a highly visible role — appearing at White House events, traveling aboard Air Force One, and receiving frequent praise from the president. At the time, his presence symbolized a close alignment between Silicon Valley innovation and the administration’s cost-cutting agenda. Musk even led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheading efforts to trim federal spending.
But that visibility has faded. According to a POLITICO analysis, Trump has not mentioned Musk on Truth Social since early April, a sharp contrast to February and March, when posts about him were common. Mentions in Republican fundraising emails — once frequent and favorable — have nearly stopped, and Musk is rarely invoked in congressional newsletters or official statements.
This shift appears strategic. Public polling indicates that Musk has grown more unpopular among key voter groups, including independents and working-class voters. A particularly telling moment came in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election, where Musk’s financial support for the conservative candidate was leveraged by Democrats to sway voters. The liberal candidate, Judge Susan Crawford, won the race by 10 points in a state Trump had narrowly carried months earlier.
“The public supported the effort to end wasteful Washington spending, but they did not support the way that it was done,” said Republican pollster Frank Luntz, reflecting on Musk’s divisive public image.
While Musk remains praised by some GOP officials for his work behind the scenes, many now believe his political value is greater when he stays out of the limelight.
Some Republicans have acknowledged the shift directly.
“I miss him,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who also noted that Musk’s absence likely won’t hurt the party heading into the midterms.
David McIntosh of the conservative Club for Growth echoed that view, suggesting Musk’s continued role in governance — but not campaigning — may be more beneficial.
The change also complicates Democratic messaging. For months, Democrats had positioned Musk as a symbol of GOP excess, using him as a political foil in ads and speeches. While his name continues to appear in campaign material — including gubernatorial races in New Jersey and congressional contests in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and California — he is increasingly cast as a secondary figure alongside Trump rather than the main antagonist.
“Ultimately, the issue here was never about Elon Musk, it was about Elon Musk-ism,” said Jesse Ferguson, a Democratic strategist. “It’s about real-world damage that he and Trump have caused that will be litigated all through the midterms.”
Despite the reduced media footprint, Musk’s influence hasn’t entirely disappeared. He continues to play a role in government as the head of DOGE, with his team working on efficiency reforms across federal agencies. He also recently joined President Trump at an investment forum in Saudi Arabia, highlighting his ongoing access to global political and business leaders.
As priorities in the Trump administration shift toward trade, immigration, and budget disputes, figures like Musk have naturally receded from center stage. However, with his vast wealth, social media reach, and ideological imprint on GOP policy, few believe Musk has exited the political arena for good.
