Americans have spoken – and they’re siding with Elon Musk over Donald Trump on nearly every front, from business and trust to dinner invites and hypothetical fistfights.
We surveyed 5,000 U.S. adults earlier this year to see which of the two larger-than-life figures commands more public confidence, curiosity, and charisma.
Here’s what we found:
Key Takeaways
💵 Musk wins the money battle: Nearly three quarters of respondents said they’d trust Musk more than Trump with their money
🛡️ Public trust leans Musk: Roughly four in five said they trust Musk more as a person, confirming that his “tech genius” image still resonates beyond politics
🤼♂️ Fight night? Musk by TKO: Three in four believe Musk would win in a physical fight against the 79-year-old president
🗳️ Election edge, but no landslide: If Musk and Trump were the only two candidates, 58% said they’d vote for Musk, versus 42% for Trump
Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump Survey Highlights
Survey participants: Musk wins the trust battle
When asked who they trust more, four out of five Americans (80.9%) chose Elon Musk.
It’s a landslide, and it cuts through age, income, and political identity. Musk’s “builder” brand, the man who launches rockets and tinkers with A.I., continues to carry cultural weight.
Trump’s reputation as a deal-maker has faded into something more partisan: even many independents who once viewed him as a straight-talking businessman now see Musk as the more competent steward of money and innovation.
Simply put: Trump’s charisma sells, but Musk’s results sell better.
Elon's also better for business, say respondents
Trump once built a career on The Art of the Deal, but 70% of Americans now say Musk is the better businessman.
That’s a remarkable reversal for someone whose personal fortune is tied to Wall Street, reality TV, and the White House. Musk’s chaotic public persona (the memes, the late-night posts, the flame-throwers) hasn’t dulled his business credibility.
Voters seem to separate the noise from the numbers. Tesla’s global reach and SpaceX’s domination of the private space sector keep him viewed as a builder, while Trump’s brand remains nostalgic: successful once, but past its commercial peak.
In 2025, the public’s verdict is clear: the future belongs to engineers, not entrepreneurs-turned-politicians.
Majority like Musk to win in a fight with 79-year-old Trump
The least scientific question in the bunch may be the most revealing: three out of four Americans (75.8%) picked Musk to win in a physical fight.
That number says less about combat skills and more about how people see these two men. Musk projects energy: he’s younger, more active, and constantly tinkering.
Trump, meanwhile, is approaching 80 and leans into the power-broker image, not the fighter archetype.
It’s a microcosm of their broader reputations: Musk as the restless disruptor, Trump as the larger-than-life showman. When push comes to shove (literally in this case), people bet on the one who seems built to keep moving.
Trump has a more loyal fan base – and more interest in his own press
For all of Musk’s dominance, Trump still commands unmatched loyalty.
Roughly 84% of respondents said Trump has the more devoted fan base, a reminder that his MAGA movement remains one of the most durable in modern politics.
But that loyalty comes with a wink: 65% also believe Trump Googles his own name more often.
It’s the perfect encapsulation of his media identity: deeply self-aware, obsessed with narrative control, and perpetually online. Musk may drive headlines, but Trump still craves them. Even in defeat, he’s the story.
Musk a slightly stronger political candidate – but neither is a fan favorite
If the election came down to just these two, 58% said they’d vote for Musk and 42% for Trump. It's a modest but meaningful gap.
Still, enthusiasm is muted. When asked if they’d consider voting for Musk in a new political party, just 31.9% said yes.
That tells us plenty: people like the idea of Musk as a change agent, not necessarily as a candidate. Trump’s political strength remains his base; Musk’s is curiosity.
Neither man, however, has cracked the code to widespread political affection. Americans might trust Musk’s brain and Trump’s bravado, but they’re not in love with either option.
