Voters are somewhat receptive to addressing inefficiencies in government, but there are concerns about billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) handling the cuts, as per a national NBC News poll. When asked about the creation of DOGE, 46% viewed it positively, 40% negatively, and 13% were undecided. Among those with an opinion, 40% strongly supported DOGE, while 37% strongly opposed it.
However, when asked to overall rate their feelings toward DOGE, opinions flip, with 41% expressing positive views and 47% holding negative views. Elon Musk himself is viewed unfavorably by 51% and favorably by 39% of respondents.
The push to reduce the federal government’s size has been a focal point of President Donald Trump’s early administration, resulting in swift cuts to spending and the workforce. DOGE’s actions, such as accessing sensitive information, laying off workers, and canceling contracts, have led to numerous legal challenges.
Trump addressed the DOGE controversy, stating that department heads would oversee job cuts using a surgical approach rather than drastic measures. Cabinet members, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, have criticized Musk’s actions in their departments.
Regarding the role of the government, 56% believe it should do more to address issues and assist people, while 42% feel it is involved in areas better suited for businesses and individuals. Views on federal workers have shifted, with 49% having positive perceptions compared to 21% negative and 29% neutral.
When asked about DOGE, opinions varied. One-third supported Musk’s efforts to reduce government size and spending, a similar proportion suggested a more cautious approach, while 33% believed the actions should cease immediately.
Democratic pollster Aileen Cardona-Arroyo noted that many voters fall in the middle, indicating a willingness to give DOGE a chance but also calling for a reevaluation or slowdown. The survey was conducted jointly by Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies.
Some individuals express doubts about DOGE’s actions, with 27% reporting negative impacts on federal benefits due to changes made by DOGE. This group is mainly Democrats, but spread across the country geographically. Direct negative impacts include loss of grant money for nonprofits, job cuts for federal employees, and concerns about future uncertainties. Additionally, some fear future budget cuts to programs like Medicaid. A poll of 1,000 voters from March 7-11 highlights these concerns, with a margin of error of 3.1%.
