CNN senior data analyst Harry Enten had some big polling numbers regarding Elon Musk and his third-party idea.
The numbers did not look good for the idea. And that's being kind.
"Geez Louise," Enten declared. "Musk's 3rd party looks close to dead on arrival."
Jeez louise, Musk's 3rd party looks close to dead on arrival.
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) July 18, 2025
He's suffered a 66 pt drop in his net favorable since entering the politics scene. At a -37 pt net fav now!
With the GOP, he's down 55 pts in just 4 months to just a +6 pt net fav.
74% oppose a Musk-led 3rd party! pic.twitter.com/vYGnXtV8oN
Enten explained how Elon suffered a net drop in popularity from June 2016, when he was the most popular person in the poll with a +29 net favorable. "Down we go!" Enten said, as he explained the number in July 2025. Now Musk was at -37 on the net favorability scale. That was a 66-point drop.
Part of that is because of how the Democrats demonized him over DOGE — trying to characterize him as a Nazi was a dishonest and despicable attack. But Musk himself has also alienated many on the right with attacks on President Donald Trump. Enten detailed the drop Musk faced with Republicans, "Two thumbs down! A drop of 55 points." He went from +61 to only +6 with Republicans.
In terms of the third party itself, only 25 percent were in favor, while 74 percent were opposed. Ross Perot tried to start a third party. He was more popular, but it failed.
It is "dead on arrival" — at least in terms of having a viable third party. But it could act as a spoiler in elections.
Musk did good things. He has indicated he might target certain seats. This is a bad idea that would only split votes and help the Democrats, as CNN commentator Scott Jennings explained. What Democrats would vote for a Musk-backed candidate? He'd only pull from independents and Republicans, splitting the folks on the middle and right.
Musk's big concern has been about saving money. So it's a perfect day to talk about that, as President Trump signs the DOGE cuts that Elon worked on into law, saving more than $9 billion. There will be more bills, with the other cuts, as the administration has indicated. This was just the start.
Trump is a truly terrible fascist when he's cutting government and his power. Musk should have continued to help, and he could have gotten a lot more done than with a third party. He could have supported GOP candidates in primaries who supported his desire for cuts. He was given a tremendous opportunity by the president to have such an important role, but he tossed it away.
READ MORE: Scott Jennings Sounds Off on Elon's Third Party Idea, Numbers From Harry Enten Support His Point
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