Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, announced the formation of a new political party, the “America Party”, on Saturday. This bold move comes as a direct response to President Donald Trump’s recently passed tax-cut and spending bill, which Musk believes could push the United States toward bankruptcy.
“Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom,” Musk declared in a post on his social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter.
The announcement follows a poll Musk conducted on July 4, U.S. Independence Day, asking his 180 million followers if he should start a new political party. Over 1.2 million users participated, with approximately 65% voting in favor.
“By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party, and you shall have it!” Musk wrote in a follow-up post.
When followers inquired whether the America Party would participate in the 2026 midterm elections or the 2028 presidential race, Musk simply replied, “Next year,” hinting at possible involvement in the upcoming 2024 elections.
However, it remains unclear if the America Party has initiated the necessary legal steps to become formally recognized under U.S. election laws. Official recognition involves a series of procedures, including holding a convention, electing interim officers, and filing paperwork with election authorities. Musk has yet to reveal details about the party’s leadership, platform, or organizational structure.
A Public Split with President Trump
Musk’s political maneuver marks a significant shift in his relationship with President Trump. Once a prominent supporter, Musk donated nearly $300 million to Trump’s campaign and briefly served as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during Trump’s administration, a department focused on reducing federal spending.
In May, Musk abruptly resigned from his position at DOGE and openly criticized Trump’s “big and beautiful bill.” He described it as “utterly insane and destructive,” accusing Republican lawmakers of promoting “debt slavery.”
Tensions escalated when President Trump threatened to revoke Musk’s U.S. residency and withdraw federal funding from Tesla and SpaceX.
“You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” Trump remarked to reporters at the White House on Tuesday. “He’s upset that he’s losing his EV mandate and… he’s very upset about things, but he can lose a lot more than that.”
Musk responded defiantly on X, stating, “I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now,” referring to federal subsidies.
Experts Weigh In
Thomas Fingar, a fellow at the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University, commented on the unfolding situation during the World Peace Forum on Thursday.
“The tax legislation contains numerous flaws and poses long-term risks,” Fingar noted. “The escalating feud between Musk and Trump resembles more of a reality TV show than a substantive policy debate.”
Looking Ahead
As the political landscape in the United States continues to shift, Musk’s entry into politics adds a new layer of complexity. Whether the America Party will gain traction remains to be seen, but the move underscores growing divisions within the country’s political discourse.
