Billionaire Elon Musk has announced the creation of a new political movement called the “America Party,” which he says is intended to challenge the dominance of the Republican and Democratic parties in the United States. The declaration came via a post on Musk’s social media platform X, referencing a previous poll where users overwhelmingly supported the idea of a new political party. However, there is currently no formal registration of the party with the Federal Electoral Commission.
Musk’s announcement follows a dramatic split from former ally, President Donald Trump. Once a staunch supporter, Musk had financially backed Trump’s campaign with $250 million and even took up a government role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). But tensions escalated after Musk resigned in May and publicly criticized Trump’s massive spending bill, which includes extensive tax cuts and is projected to add over $3 trillion to the national deficit.
A significant point of contention for Musk was the bill’s lack of support for green energy initiatives, such as electric vehicles, which are central to his Tesla business. Trump responded harshly, accusing Musk of relying on government subsidies and threatening to have Doge investigate the financial benefits Musk’s companies receive. The dispute further soured their relationship and marked the beginning of Musk’s pivot away from Trump.
Despite his high profile and financial power, Musk remains ineligible to run for the presidency due to his South African birth. He has not announced a candidate to lead the America Party. The US political landscape has historically proven difficult for third-party contenders, as past candidates from parties like the Libertarians and Greens have failed to gain significant traction in national elections.
