Formation of America Party
On Saturday, July 5, 2025, Elon Musk announced on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the "America Party" has been formed. He stated its purpose is "to give you back your freedom" and to challenge what he calls the "one-party system" (referring to the perceived unity of Democrats and Republicans on issues like government spending).
Motivation: The primary catalyst for this decision appears to be his strong opposition to a recently signed "One Big, Beautiful Bill" by President Trump. Musk denounced the bill as "debt slavery" and criticized Republican lawmakers for supporting it despite campaigning on fiscal restraint, arguing it will bankrupt the country.
Political Shift: Musk, who previously identified as a "political moderate" and had historically voted for Democrats before shifting to support Republicans in recent years (and was a significant donor to Donald Trump's 2024 campaign), has now openly defied Trump.
Goals of the America Party
Musk has indicated that the new party might strategically target a small number of winnable House and Senate seats, aiming to hold the balance of power on key issues given the narrow margins in Congress. He suggested focusing on "just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts" to serve as a deciding vote on contentious laws.
Challenges: Experts and political analysts note that forming a successful third party in the deeply entrenched two-party system of the US is extremely difficult and costly, often taking years. Despite Musk's vast wealth, he will face significant legal and logistical hurdles in getting candidates on ballots across various states.
Response from Trump: President Trump has retaliated against Musk's criticisms, even reportedly threatening to cut federal funding from Musk's companies and hinting at possible deportation (Musk was born in South Africa and became a US citizen in 2002).
Musk's Past Political Activity
While he stated in May 2025 that he would cut back on political spending, his recent actions suggest a renewed and intensified engagement. He had previously run the "Department of Government Efficiency" at the start of Trump's second term, aiming to slash costs and cut waste, but this collaboration evidently soured.
