Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, is now setting his sights on American politics. After a very public feud with President Trump and the Republican Party—especially over the passage of the massive “Big Beautiful Bill”—Musk has announced his intention to create a new political force: the America Party.
Why Musk Wants a New Party
Musk’s frustration with both the Democrats and Republicans is at the heart of his move. He has repeatedly called the two parties a “uniparty,” blaming both for ballooning government deficits and failing to represent the real will of the people. The final straw was the passage of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping government spending package that Musk condemned as “insane” and “a disgusting abomination.” Musk argues that America needs a fiscally conservative alternative that truly reflects what citizens want.
The Strategy: Laser-Focused Disruption
Unlike traditional third-party efforts that try to run candidates nationwide, Musk’s America Party plans to focus its resources on a handful of key races: just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House seats. With Congress so evenly divided, even this small number could give Musk’s party the power to act as a kingmaker on major legislation. As Musk put it, “If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day. Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE.”
Public Reaction & Challenges
Recent polling shows that about 40% of Americans—including a significant number of Republicans—would consider supporting Musk’s new party. However, building a third party in the U.S. faces steep obstacles: strict campaign finance laws, complex state-by-state ballot access requirements, and the deep-rooted loyalty many voters have to the two major parties. Experts point out that even with Musk’s vast wealth, it would take years and a sustained grassroots effort to make the America Party a real national force.
Political Fallout and Next Steps
Musk’s announcement has already shaken up the political landscape. He has promised to back primary challengers against nearly every Republican in Congress who supported Trump’s bill, and he’s using his own super PAC to support candidates aligned with his vision. In response, Trump has threatened to cut off government contracts and subsidies to Musk’s companies, escalating the feud.
Can Musk Succeed?
Political scientists remain skeptical. As Alan Abramowitz of Emory University notes, “Third-party movements in the U.S. typically emerge from a foundation of profound grievances. It’s not simply a wealthy individual deciding to launch a third party.” The American political system is designed to favor two major parties, and history shows that even well-funded third-party efforts often struggle to gain lasting traction.
Still, Musk’s immense resources and ability to command public attention make this one of the most intriguing political experiments in recent memory. Whether the America Party will become a real force or just another headline remains to be seen—but it’s clear that Musk is determined to shake up the status quo.