Elon Musk has announced the formation of a new political party in the United States, named the America Party. The declaration was made via his social media platform X, weeks after a high-profile split with U.S. President Donald Trump.
“By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!” Musk wrote in a post on Saturday, referencing a poll he previously shared on X. “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.”
As of July 4, 2025, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) had not received any documents confirming the formal registration of the America Party.
Eligibility and Leadership Unknown
Musk, who was born in South Africa and is not a natural-born U.S. citizen, is constitutionally ineligible to run for the U.S. presidency. His announcement did not include details about who would lead or represent the party in future elections.
Political analysts note that third-party movements in the U.S. have historically struggled to gain traction. While parties such as the Libertarian, Green, and People’s Party have contested presidential elections, none have achieved significant national success.
Feud With Trump Prompted Political Shift
Musk’s decision to form a new party follows a public and personal fallout with Donald Trump. Until recently, Musk was considered a close political ally of the former president. He participated in campaign rallies, introduced his son to Trump at the White House, and reportedly donated $250 million to support Trump’s bid for re-election.
He also served in Trump’s administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (known informally as “Doge”), which aimed to implement significant cuts to federal spending.
Musk publicly criticised Trump’s recently passed tax and spending legislation. Dubbed by Trump as his “big, beautiful bill”, it is estimated to add over $3 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade. Musk’s criticism however led to a deterioration in their relationship.
Policy Disagreements and Personal Attacks
Central to Musk’s disapproval of the bill is its lack of focus on environmental transition and subsidies for green technologies. The legislation’s failure to support clean energy industries could adversely affect Tesla, Musk’s electric vehicle company.
In response, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, stating, “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.”
Trump also hinted at investigating Musk’s businesses through Doge, citing federal support for SpaceX and Starlink—both of which provide services to U.S. and allied military agencies.
Third-Party Viability in U.S. Politics
The announcement raises questions about the viability of a third-party platform in the current U.S. political landscape. While dissatisfaction with the two-party system is high, structural barriers—including ballot accessibility laws, limited media coverage, and entrenched voter behaviour—pose challenges for any new party.
Whether Elon Musk’s America Party will contest the 2026 midterm elections or the 2028 presidential race remains unclear.
