Even among hardcore supporters of Donald Trump, richest-man-in-the-world Elon Musk has reportedly taken a hit to his reputation.
Trump brought on Musk to cut federal spending via the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, but some analysts have suggested Trump really intended Musk to be a heat shield to absorb any negative sentiments.
According to a New York Times report, that appears to be happening, at least at one major wrestling championship.
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In an article entitled, "A Trump-Friendly Crowd Shows Its Love. But Not for Musk," the Times reports that, "President Trump and Elon Musk took in the Division I wrestling championship in Philadelphia on Saturday. But some of Mr. Trump’s supporters expressed complicated feelings about his billionaire adviser."
The report further continues:
"The wrestling fans who made their way to Philly were not entirely sure if that was what they bargained for when they voted for Mr. Trump, as many of them indeed did. The crowd was largely made up of cornfed men with cauliflower ears from places like Ohio, Missouri, Iowa and Pennsylvania, and while almost all of them said they were pleased with Mr. Trump’s time in office so far, interviews with more than a dozen attendees revealed more complicated feelings that were beginning to surface about Mr. Musk."
The report quotes numerous Trump supporters, including Blaize Cabell, a 32-year-old wrestling coach, who said, "Not a big fan of Elon," who Cabell also said is "making a lot of callous cuts."
Bobby Coll, a 24-year-old finance broker, reportedly said, "He’s going a little rampant — I think everyone can agree with that." Coll's girlfriend chimed in, "It’s someone putting their hand in a cookie jar they don’t belong in.”
Katy Travis, a 48-year-old wrestling mom, said Musk hanging around all the time looks "ridiculous."
“It makes [Trump] look like he’s kissing a--- to get money,” Ms. Travis said, according to the Times' reporting.