Elon Musk is emerging as a new star in Democratic ads and fundraising appeals, as politicians from Virginia to Wisconsin try to seize on the tech billionaire’s role in slashing the federal government to motivate their voters and donors.

The White House has wrestled with political blowback over Musk's role and legal challenges that have tried to block or slow down his work. Republicans who are facing growing pressure in contentious town halls have started to speak up.

Democratic politicians released campaign ads featuring Elon Musk as a symbol of billionaire-driven budget cuts that threaten healthcare and social programs.

For decades, conservatives in Congress have talked about the need to cut government deeply, but they have always pulled back from mandating specific reductions, fearful of voter backlash. Now, President Donald Trump’s administration is trying to make major cuts in government through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency,

The government is headed toward a shutdown unless a deal is reached by March 14. And disagreements over DOGE may be the biggest roadblock.

The dynamic of cutting government while also cutting out those who answer to voters has alarmed even some fiscal conservatives.