Trump Denounces Musk’s “America Party” as a Political Stunt
President Donald Trump has dismissed billionaire Elon Musk’s newly announced political party as “ridiculous,” deepening a growing rift between the former allies and injecting fresh uncertainty into the American political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump lambasted Musk’s formation of the so-called America Party as a misguided venture that would only serve to disrupt the U.S. electoral system. “It’s always been a two-party system,” Trump said. “Third parties have never worked. So he can have fun with it, but I think it’s ridiculous.”
Musk, the South African-born CEO of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of social media platform X, announced his intentions to launch a third party on Saturday. He framed the move as a necessary challenge to what he described as a “one-party system” in Washington, criticizing both Republicans and Democrats for reckless government spending and expanding federal debt.
“When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste and graft, we live in a one-party system not a democracy,” Musk wrote on X.
The tech mogul’s latest political maneuver follows his departure in May from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump-established agency where Musk served as a high-profile budget hawk. Despite receiving a ceremonious farewell that included a bizarre presentation of a golden key to the White House, the two men fell out publicly soon after.
At the heart of the feud is Trump’s signature tax and spending legislation, which Musk has harshly criticized. The president’s economic package, lauded by allies as a growth driver, has been condemned by fiscal conservatives like Musk who argue it threatens long-term financial stability.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump escalated his rhetoric against Musk, writing: “I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks.”
The president went further, blaming Musk’s shifting stance on his business interests. Trump suggested that Tesla’s fading electric vehicle subsidies targeted in the new legislation may have influenced Musk’s political ambitions.
While Musk insists his opposition stems from concerns over America’s ballooning deficit, Trump’s allies are not convinced. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered a pointed critique, implying Musk’s business empire may suffer from his political distractions. “I imagine the boards of his companies didn’t like this announcement,” Bessent told CNN. “They likely want him focused on running those companies, not running for office.”
Musk has yet to disclose whether the America Party has been formally registered with federal electoral authorities, and his announcement lacked specifics regarding party leadership, platform, or candidates. However, analysts warn that even a limited third-party campaign could complicate Republican efforts in upcoming elections, potentially siphoning votes from Trump-aligned candidates.
The animosity between Trump and Musk now appears irreversible. Despite once sharing a common populist message and administrative goals, their relationship has deteriorated into open hostility. Trump refused to answer when asked whether he would demand the return of the symbolic golden key once awarded to Musk during his White House exit.
As the political dust settles, observers are watching closely to see whether Musk’s third-party endeavor gains traction or becomes another high-profile miscalculation in the volatile world of American politics.
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Trump Denounces Musk’s “America Party” as a Political Stunt