CNN’s Harry Enten expressed surprise at “shocking” poll data released on Thursday, showing that a majority of Americans support Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in its efforts to cut federal government spending. The CBS/YouGov poll found that 54% of respondents believe Musk and DOGE should have at least some influence over government spending and operations.
Despite weeks of anti-DOGE protests and strong pushback from Democrats, Enten, the CNN data reporter, was astonished to see that the majority of Americans back DOGE’s efforts to reduce government spending. “This, to me, was one of the more shocking figures that I saw. It made me go, ‘wait a minute, hold on one second! Whoa!’” Enten exclaimed.
The poll not only indicated majority support for Musk and DOGE’s influence on government spending, but it also revealed that most people approved of President Donald Trump’s attempts to reduce staff at government agencies. CNN anchor Kate Bolduan followed up by asking Enten, “What do they [Americans] believe they’re [DOGE] actually cutting?”
A Washington Post/IPSOS poll of registered voters indicates that 42% believe DOGE is cutting “wasteful” spending, while only 36% think the department is reducing “necessary programs.” Enten pointed out that despite Democrats’ efforts to portray DOGE as cutting necessary federal programs, the public is not buying it. “Democrats want to argue that the type of spending that Musk is cutting is mainly necessary programs, but that comes in at just 36%. The wasteful spending actually wins the plurality here, at 42%,” Enten said.
The CNN data reporter stated that the public believes Musk and DOGE are responsible for cutting wasteful government spending rather than necessary programs. This is cited as the reason why the majority of Americans want them to influence government spending decisions. “I think that is the reason why you see that when it comes to Musk and DOGE, you see, in fact, the majority believe he should have some influence, because they believe, the plurality believe that he is cutting wasteful spending. Not necessary programs that Democrats are arguing,” Enten explained.