So far, Elon Musk has been among the least popular aspects of the new administration. While President Donald Trump and his agenda have received glowing marks from the public in his first months in office, Musk’s favorability ratings have plummeted and the public has grown increasingly weary of his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk’s numbers have even sunk among Republican voters. 

This phenomenon explains two recent events: the Democrats’ anti-Musk protest outside the Department of Treasury last week and Musk’s appearance alongside Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday. Public perception of Musk and his unprecedented governmental role has become the focal point where the narrative war is currently being waged.