Some of Donald Trump’s allies are worried that his support for Elon Musk’s budget cuts and the focus on DOGE is hurting his presidency. While there is general support for reducing federal spending, many Republicans fear that Musk’s approach, which involves slashing government jobs through the Department of Government Efficiency, is alienating moderate voters and helping Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
A growing concern is that Trump has spent more time defending DOGE and Musk’s methods than focusing on important economic and legislative issues, such as tax reform and immigration. According to Scott Jennings, a GOP strategist, “If you’re Trump, one of the strategic questions is: ‘DOGE is getting all the attention – I’m doing all this important work on other issues, is that OK?’”
Trump’s push for DOGE, a concept that only emerged after the election, has been dominating media coverage. Clay Travis, founder of the conservative website OutKick, pointed out, “Do I think that Elon soaks up a lot of oxygen? Yes. Do I think the combination of Elon and Trump is catnip for the media at large, and the way that stories get covered, 100 percent.” He noted that both figures draw strong reactions, making their partnership a constant media spectacle, Politico reports.
Trump’s focus on DOGE is drawing attention away from other priorities. Some Republicans worry this will make it harder for the president to accomplish his key legislative goals. A senior White House official insisted that DOGE is just a “part of a larger story” and that Trump’s upcoming address to Congress would focus on showcasing his vision for the country. However, many swing-state Republicans are anxious that the attention on Musk and DOGE is too focused on Trump’s far-right base, leaving moderate voters uncertain about the administration’s approach to issues like the economy and everyday costs.
In particular, concerns are rising about the human cost of Musk’s cuts, which include job losses for many middle-class and working-class Americans—voters who typically supported Trump in the past. A Republican strategist noted, “A lot of the people they’re laying off look like Trump voters. A lot of people that they’re laying off are military vets, or who are conservatives in their own communities and voted for Trump.”
Republicans are also anxious about the public’s reaction to these cuts, with some believing that Musk’s aggressive approach to slashing jobs is hurting Trump’s image. Polls show Americans support reducing government spending, but they’re not in favor of the way Musk is handling the cuts. A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll found that 53% of Americans oppose Musk’s leadership in this area.
Another issue is that some of the moves being made, like layoffs of aviation employees and experts managing national security matters, might lead to serious consequences if something goes wrong. This worry, combined with rising inflation and the cost of living, could further weaken Trump’s position as he heads into the 2024 election.
“Yeah, it has to happen. But why does an extremely pale lion have to play with his food here?” one GOP consultant expressed, criticizing Musk’s insensitivity in handling the layoffs. While some believe that the cuts are necessary for the long-term economic health of the country, others worry they are hurting Trump’s credibility.
Trump’s allies argue that the president is trying to address the economy through tariffs and executive orders aimed at boosting domestic production and lowering costs. Still, as GOP strategist Ralph Reed pointed out, “The American people are a lot smarter than most Washington observers give them credit for. They know that we didn’t get into this mess in a day, and you’re not going to fix it in a month.”
However, a growing number of congressional republicans fear the focus on Musk’s actions could be undermining Trump’s broader message and pushing moderate voters away. Even some of the president’s allies acknowledge that the cuts could backfire, as voters who are struggling with everyday issues, like inflation, may feel disconnected from the administration’s focus on cutting government jobs.
