Elon Musk’s aggressive cuts to the federal government are quickly becoming a political nightmare for President Donald Trump, drawing backlash from voters across the political spectrum. The widespread layoffs and shakeups led by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are angering both Democrats and Republicans, and it’s threatening to undermine Trump’s presidency as these moves risk alienating key voter groups and sink the Republican Party just ahead of the crucial midterm elections.
Musk’s sweeping cuts, which have included widespread layoffs at various government agencies, have drawn criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Behind closed doors, even key Trump allies are expressing concern over the damage Musk’s actions are causing to the GOP’s chances in the upcoming elections.
Trump’s tone shifted significantly this week when he called for a more measured approach, stressing that his Cabinet secretaries should take the lead on staffing decisions. He emphasized that cuts should be made with “a scalpel” instead of a “hatchet,” signaling that the president is growing more concerned about the political fallout from Musk’s heavy-handed tactics.
A source close to Trump explained that the president has become aware that Musk’s approach has been “a little bit callous” and is damaging his standing with voters, particularly veterans. “When you talk about veterans across the country, disabled vets, people like that, losing their jobs, at some point that stuff starts to take hold,” the source said.
Trump’s shift in tone suggests that he realizes the fallout from Musk’s actions could cost the Republicans crucial support in the upcoming midterms.
This change in strategy followed a tense meeting at the White House earlier this week, which included Trump, Musk, and his Cabinet secretaries. The New York Times reported that Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had clashed over the pace and scale of cuts, particularly after the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Trump downplayed the tensions, telling reporters, “no clash, I was there,” and praising both Musk and Rubio, but his comments about cuts being more precise show his concern about the broader political implications.
Musk’s cuts have caused particular outrage in the Republican Party. Several Republican senators have voiced frustration with the way Musk has handled the layoffs, especially at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where thousands of workers are being let go. They are upset about being bypassed in the decision-making process and are worried that these actions will harm their chances in the upcoming midterms.
One source close to Trump said that even the most cynical voters understand the importance of government programs that provide aid to people in need. “Even the most cynical Americans think we have some role in that,” the source said. This growing frustration is creating a rift within the Republican Party, as many feel that Musk’s actions are damaging their image and hurting their chances with key voter groups.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins also voiced concerns during the White House meeting, arguing that cuts should be more strategic and thoughtful. He later wrote an op-ed in The Hill emphasizing the importance of supporting veterans and announced that his department was reviewing its operations in response to Musk’s cost-cutting measures. Trump agreed with Collins, signaling that he recognizes the need for a more careful approach to these cuts.
While Trump has distanced himself from Musk’s more extreme actions, he’s still leaving the door open for Musk to take charge if necessary. Trump stated, “If they don’t make the right cuts, then Musk will,” showing that he hasn’t completely severed ties with Musk but is trying to balance the political risks involved.
The fallout from Musk’s cuts has been felt beyond the Cabinet and Congress. On Capitol Hill, Senate Republicans have taken issue with the mass layoffs, especially those affecting veterans, and are pushing back against the idea that Musk can single-handedly make these decisions without broader approval. The growing frustration could have serious implications for the Republican Party’s ability to maintain support in key battleground states ahead of the midterms.
Legal challenges are also mounting against Musk’s role in the government. Unions representing federal employees have filed lawsuits against the administration, and Democrats have pushed for investigations into Musk’s use of his government position to influence his business interests. Senate Democrats recently asked the Department of Justice to investigate whether Musk is leveraging his role to pressure advertisers on his social media platform, X.
Norm Eisen, a legal expert, warned that Trump’s attempts to scale back Musk’s role were a clear admission that the billionaire’s actions may have violated the law. “This attempted backtrack is an admission that the vast chaos that Musk and DOGE have wrought without proper approval and documentation is illegal—and so must be completely unwound,” Eisen said.
As the midterm elections approach, Trump’s political future is tied to how he handles the fallout from Musk’s controversial cost-cutting efforts. Voter anger, especially among veterans and government workers, is threatening to sink the Republican Party’s chances. Trump’s decision to slowly distance himself from Musk could be a move to protect his own political survival, but the damage may already be done.
