Survey shows Mark Zuckerberg is disliked by almost everyone in the US

A new national survey reveals that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is viewed negatively by a sweeping majority of Americans, with nearly seven in ten adults holding an unfavorable opinion of him. The findings, released this week by the Pew Research Center, highlight how the tech billionaire’s recent attempts to reshape his public image have done little to win over critics.

The study, highlighted by TechCrunch, polled over 5,000 U.S. adults in late January and early February and found that 67% of respondents view Zuckerberg unfavorably. By comparison, 54% feel negatively about Elon Musk, another polarizing tech figure. While Musk’s reputation splits sharply along political lines — 73% of Republicans view him favorably versus just 12% of Democrats — Zuckerberg’s unpopularity spans both parties. Roughly 76% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans report negative impressions of the Facebook founder.

Zuckerberg’s recent policy shifts and political ties were likely potential factors. Since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, Zuckerberg has drawn scrutiny for rolling back Meta’s content moderation rules, including limits on fact-checking and penalties for hate speech. Meanwhile, Musk’s hands-on role in Trump’s administration with DOGE, where he oversees federal spending cuts, has deepened partisan divides.

Despite Zuckerberg’s highly publicized rebranding efforts — from adopting a “high fashion” wardrobe to dabbling in music — the survey suggests most Americans remain unimpressed. Unfortunately for Zuckerberg, gold chains and viral videos don’t erase years of controversy.

Younger adults, in particular, report strong dislike for both executives. Seventy percent of respondents under 30 view Zuckerberg negatively, while 67% feel the same about Musk. Older adults are slightly more forgiving, though majorities still lean negative.

While Musk’s work with the Trump administration explains much of his political split, Zuckerberg’s challenges appear more rooted in widespread distrust. Only 2% of respondents said they view him “very favorably,” the lowest rating in the study.

The survey results paint a clear picture: Zuckerberg’s path to public redemption is riddled with roadblocks. Even after swapping his signature hoodies for designer suits and leaning into quirky hobbies, most Americans aren’t buying the rebrand.