The latest findings from the Pew Research Center make it clear: Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are not exactly winning popularity contests in the United States. The majority of Americans hold a rather negative view of these two tech titans. However, their unpopularity is grounded in different issues: Musk sharply divides opinion, while Zuckerberg seems to unite nearly everyone against him.
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Musk Polarizes, Zuckerberg Unites (In the Worst Way)
According to a survey conducted from January 27 to February 2, 2025, involving 5,086 adults, 54% of Americans have an unfavorable opinion of Elon Musk, with 36% viewing him very unfavorably. Interestingly, the CEO of Tesla and X continues to be a highly polarizing figure. Among Republicans, he is viewed favorably: 73% hold a positive opinion, peaking at 84% among hardcore conservatives. Among Democrats, 85% view him negatively.
Zuckerberg, on the other hand, nearly achieves consensus… but not in a good way. Two-thirds of Americans (67%) have a negative perception of him, and 26% go so far as to say they have a very unfavorable view. The head of Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads) appears to bring together Democrats and Republicans, but again, not for the right reasons: 76% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans do not hold him in high regard.
Younger Adults Are Even More Critical
Another notable point: age also plays a role in this negative perception. Younger adults are even harsher critics. Among those under 30, 67% have a poor opinion of Musk, and 70% view Zuckerberg unfavorably. Criticism tends to soften a bit among those aged 50 and over, where “only” 49% view Musk negatively, compared to 62% for Zuckerberg.
Why the Harsh Judgment?
The reasons? For Musk, his role as an advisor in the Trump administration and his outspoken desire to cut public spending do not sit well with many Americans (and others). Zuckerberg, for his part, is criticized for loosening content moderation on his platforms, not to mention the ongoing controversies surrounding privacy and the impact of his apps on younger users.
In Conclusion
In the end, even though Musk and Zuckerberg remain prominent figures in global tech, their popularity is seriously waning. One divides, the other annoys everyone. I won’t insult you by asking for your opinion, it’s going to stir up a storm in the comments, so instead, let’s hear about your cool plans for the weekend! The weather isn’t looking great, right?