Individuals’ views of two outstanding tech executives – Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg – tilt extra unfavorable than constructive. Musk is a deeply polarizing determine, with Republicans largely viewing him favorably and Democrats largely unfavorably. In contrast, views of Zuckerberg are much less polarized, with majorities in each events viewing him unfavorably.
Simply over half of U.S. adults (54%) say they’ve an unfavorable view of Musk, together with 36% who’ve a very unfavorable opinion of him. About four-in-ten (42%) categorical a positive view, together with 11% who’re very favorable, based on a Pew Research Center survey carried out Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2025.
Musk is the top of corporations corresponding to Tesla and X (previously Twitter). He’s additionally at present a “special government employee” of the Trump administration, main the Division of Authorities Effectivity because it seeks to cut federal spending. How we did this
Two-thirds of Individuals have an unfavorable view of Zuckerberg. This consists of 26% who’re very unfavorable towards him. One other quarter view him favorably, together with simply 2% who see him very favorably.
Zuckerburg is the chairman and CEO of Meta, an organization that owns social media platforms together with Fb and Instagram. Zuckerberg hasn’t been resistant to political debates, together with over his current resolution to end fact-checking on his platforms.
Few Individuals are unfamiliar with both of those tech leaders. Fewer than one-in-ten say they’ve by no means heard of Musk (3%) or Zuckerberg (6%). Earlier Heart surveys have discovered that Individuals largely really feel that social media companies have too much power in American politics.
Views of Musk, Zuckerberg by get together
Together with his current involvement within the Trump administration, views of Musk are deeply divided alongside get together strains. Republicans are much more favorable than Democrats towards Musk:
- 73% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents – together with 84% of conservative Republicans – maintain a positive view. This compares with 12% of Democrats and Democratic leaners.
- Way more Democrats than Republicans have an unfavorable view of Musk (85% vs. 24%).
By comparability, majorities in each events have an unfavorable view of Zuckerberg, although Democrats are extra seemingly than Republicans to see him negatively:
- Six-in-ten Republicans and round three-quarters of Democrats (76%) – together with 87% of liberal Democrats – have an unfavorable view.
- Smaller shares in each events maintain a positive one (34% of Republicans and 17% of Democrats).
Views of Musk, Zuckerberg by age
The general public’s views of Musk and Zuckerberg additionally modestly differ by age, with youthful adults considerably extra unfavorable of each.
- 67% of adults beneath 30 maintain an unfavorable view of Musk, in contrast with about half of these ages 30 to 49 (53%) and people 50 and older (49%).
- Seven-in-ten adults beneath 30 and 72% of these ages 30 to 49 have an unfavorable opinion of Zuckerberg. This compares with 62% of these 50 and older.
Age variations are significantly pronounced amongst Republicans in the case of views of Musk. About half (47%) of Republicans beneath 30 categorical an unfavorable view of Musk. By comparability, 23% of these ages 30 to 49 and even fewer of these 50 and older (16%) see him negatively. For Democrats, favorability of Musk doesn’t differ throughout these three age teams.
