In a bold move, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has revealed his plans to establish a new political party, named the America Party, just weeks after his contentious split with former President Donald Trump. This announcement, made via Musk’s social media platform X, positions the America Party as a direct challenge to the entrenched two-party system in the United States, dominated by the Republican and Democratic parties.
Details on the party’s formation and objectives
While Musk’s announcement has generated significant attention, it remains uncertain whether the America Party has been officially registered with the relevant U.S. election authorities. Notably, Musk, having been born outside the United States, is ineligible to run for the presidency himself, raising questions about who will take the helm of this new political entity.
Musk first hinted at the potential formation of a political party during his public disagreement with Trump, which included his departure from the administration and a series of sharp exchanges with his former ally. During this tumultuous time, he conducted a poll on X, querying users about the need for a new political party in the U.S.
“By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it! When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”
Challenges ahead for the America Party
As of now, the Federal Electoral Commission has yet to release any documents confirming the formal registration of the America Party. Historically, high-profile candidates outside the traditional two-party framework have struggled to achieve the necessary national traction to present a real challenge to established candidates. For instance, in the recent presidential election, candidates from the Libertarian Party, Green Party, and People’s Party were unable to disrupt the paths of Trump or his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris.
Until recently, Musk was a prominent supporter of Trump, famously appearing with him at election rallies and introducing his son to the former president in the Oval Office. He also served as a significant financial backer for Trump’s campaign, reportedly contributing $250 million to support his bid for re-election.
However, their relationship soured after Musk left the administration in May, expressing criticism of Trump’s fiscal policies. Notably, Trump’s recent legislation, which he has referred to as his “big, beautiful bill,” was narrowly passed by Congress and subsequently signed into law. This substantial law includes extensive spending commitments and tax reductions, projected to increase the U.S. deficit by over $3 trillion in the next decade.
For Musk, a key point of contention is that the new legislation does not prioritize green initiatives or subsidies for electric vehicles, which could significantly impact his business interests in Tesla. In response, Trump remarked on his social media platform, Truth Social, that “Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far. Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.” This statement hints at potential investigations into the subsidies benefiting Musk’s various enterprises, which include SpaceX and Starlink, both of which play critical roles in U.S. defense operations.