America Party launched as Elon Musk challenges Trump led political establishment

WASHINGTON: Tech mogul and world’s richest man Elon Musk has announced a new political party, the America Party, following public and political tensions with President Donald Trump over the recently signed spending bill.

In a post shared on his social media platform X, the Tesla chief questioned the two-party political structure in the US, saying, “When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste and corruption, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.” He added, “Today, the America Party was created to give you back your freedom.”

The move comes after weeks of tension between Musk and Trump, once close allies, and Musk’s opposition to the administration’s major domestic policy package. It also stunned the world because Musk, a major donor to Trump’s 2024 campaign and a former informal adviser, publicly criticized the legislation, calling it fiscally irresponsible and detrimental to the country’s future.

Although he initially tried to tone down his criticism, the feud has flared up again in recent days as the bill moved toward passage and was eventually signed into law. While Musk has yet to file formal paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), he has announced his intention to make the America Party an active political force in the 2026 midterm elections. The billionaire said the new party would initially focus on supporting candidates in strategically elected House and Senate races.

Describing the America Party as fiscally conservative, Musk said it would work to cut government spending and crack down on corruption. He has not yet outlined a full policy platform, but he has stressed that the party’s mission is to restore accountability and fiscal discipline.

Despite sharing many conservative values ​​with Trump, Musk has warned that current Republican-led economic policies are creating what he calls “debt slavery.” He has also reiterated that Americans are increasingly disillusioned with the current two-party system.

Trump has reacted strongly to Musk’s actions, suggesting that the federal government could renegotiate its contracts with Musk’s companies and referring to the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency as a “monster that could come back and eat Elon.”

Political analysts have expressed skepticism about the viability of third-party initiatives, noting the historical challenges such movements face, including fundraising, ballot access, and voter loyalty. Still, Musk believes that public sentiment is changing and that the time is right for a new political force.