Has Elon Musk, the tech giant with a penchant for shaking things up, finally hit a wall even he can’t Tesla through? The billionaire entrepreneur, once a key figure in federal government efficiency efforts, stirred headlines with his bold plan to create a third political force called the America Party. Now, it seems he might be pumping the brakes on that ambitious venture.
The Daily Caller reported that after a public spat with President Donald Trump over a massive spending bill, Musk’s journey from government insider to potential party founder has taken a sharp turn, with recent silence suggesting he may have reconsidered the daunting task of challenging the two-party system.
Musk’s saga began during his 130-day stint as a special government employee, heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where his mission was to slash federal waste.
Frustration brewed when Trump’s "Big Beautiful Bill" passed without the spending cuts Musk championed. It was a breaking point for the tech titan, who soon parted ways with the administration.
On May 28, 2025, Musk announced his exit from government, marking his first major rift with the president. Just two days later, Trump awarded him a symbolic "key to the White House" during an Oval Office news conference. A gesture of goodwill, perhaps, but it couldn’t mask the growing tension.
Post-exit, Musk didn’t hold back, taking to X to blast the spending bill and vow to primary any politician who supported it.
His criticism of Trump was sharp, public, and unapologetic. This wasn’t just a policy disagreement; it felt like a declaration of war on the status quo.
By June 30, 2025, Musk upped the ante, tweeting plans to form the America Party the day after the bill’s passage. "Our country needs an alternative," he declared on X, railing against what he called the "Democrat-Republican uniparty." It was a rallying cry for those disillusioned with entrenched politics.
On July 4, 2025, Musk doubled down with a Twitter poll, asking if Americans craved independence from the two-party system. The timing—Independence Day—was no accident, a clever nod to breaking free from political shackles. But cleverness alone doesn’t build a movement.
President Trump fired back on July 6, 2025, dismissing the America Party as "ridiculous" and even threatening to scrutinize Musk’s federal contracts via Truth Social.
"BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!" Trump thundered online, hinting at a DOGE-led review of Musk’s subsidies. It was a shot across the bow, reminding Musk who holds the bigger stick in Washington.
Yet, despite the initial fireworks, Musk’s grand vision seems to have stalled. Over a month has passed since his last mention of the America Party, and no candidates, strategies, or concrete plans have emerged. Insiders whisper that the complexity of starting a party from scratch may have dawned on him.
Conservative voices are sounding the alarm that a third party could fracture the MAGA coalition, especially with midterm elections on the horizon in 2026. A divided base might hand Democrats an opening to reclaim power in Congress. It’s a risk many on the right aren’t willing to take.
James Fishback, a former DOGE adviser, didn’t mince words: "It would do nothing to advance the issues that Elon cares about."
He argues Musk’s stunt could backfire, benefiting only the progressive agenda. It’s a sobering take from someone who’s worked closely with the billionaire.
Fishback also shrugged off the threat, noting, "I’m not worried about it at all." He believes the America Party is unlikely to materialize. Actions, not tweets, define Musk’s legacy, and so far, there’s little action to report.
A Trump world source echoed the skepticism, saying, "No one has outlined a solid plan from him." They’re in a wait-and-see mode, unsure if Musk will recruit candidates or fund campaigns. Without a roadmap, this party remains a digital daydream.
Even Musk’s political action committee, Building America’s Future, muddies the waters, spending $1 million to promote the very bill he criticized. It’s a head-scratcher—why bankroll something you publicly despise? Perhaps Musk’s business interests and political ideals aren’t as aligned as his tweets suggest.