The Democratic Party is strategizing to win back the working class by targeting the world’s richest person, Elon Musk, as their new boogeyman. Recent polling data showing Musk’s plummeting popularity has emboldened key Democratic leaders to take action against the top adviser to President Donald Trump, who is spearheading efforts to overhaul the federal government. They are pushing to subpoena Musk and introduce legislation to prevent him from receiving federal contracts while he continues to lead Trump’s cost-cutting initiatives.
Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, the top Democrat on the Oversight committee, has criticized Musk for not prioritizing the needs of working-class families and has predicted that Musk’s unpopularity will reflect poorly on Trump. Even moderate Democrats, like Rep. Jared Golden from Maine, have joined in condemning Musk, referring to him as an “unelected, weirdo billionaire” and expressing concerns about his rapid changes to government operations.
Rep. Ro Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley and has a history with Musk, has distanced himself from the billionaire, citing Musk’s unconstitutional attacks on institutions. Khanna’s shift reflects a broader trend within the Democratic Party to portray Musk as a liability for Trump, particularly with his working-class base.
Democrats are also mobilizing public protests against Musk in Washington, highlighting his efforts to downsize the federal workforce as a campaign strategy to sway voters. Internal polling conducted by House Majority Forward shows that Musk is viewed negatively by registered voters in battleground districts, with a majority expressing disapproval of his actions. Additional polls confirm Musk’s unfavorable ratings, indicating a potential vulnerability for Trump.
House Majority Forward’s polling has informed Democratic strategies to target Musk’s conflicts of interest and potential impact on key social programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Democratic leaders are emphasizing the risk of Musk’s influence on Treasury Department systems, raising concerns about the security of sensitive personal information.
Despite Democratic efforts to curb Musk’s influence through legislation and subpoenas, their actions have faced obstacles in a Republican-controlled Congress. While Democrats advocate for government modernization, they remain critical of Musk’s tactics and urge caution in his approach to restructuring federal programs.
