Billionaire Elon Musk announced Saturday the creation of a new political group, the “America Party” following a dramatic fallout with President Donald Trump over a controversial domestic policy bill.
Posting on X, Musk wrote: “When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”
Until recently a top advisor and Trump’s largest individual campaign donor, Musk had criticized the president’s so-called “big beautiful bill,” warning it would add trillions to the federal deficit.
Their fallout began last month, briefly subsided when Musk deleted some harsh posts, but reignited as the bill neared passage. Trump signed it into law on Friday.
There’s no confirmation yet that Musk has officially registered the new party with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Musk said the America Party would promote fiscal conservatism and reduced government spending but offered few details about its platform. While he aligns with Republicans on social issues, he’s warned their agenda leads to “debt slavery.”
The two-party system in the U.S. has faced longstanding criticism, though third-party efforts have historically struggled. Ross Perot’s 1992 independent run gained nearly 20% of the vote but failed to win any states.
Experts cite legal and financial hurdles in starting new parties. Voter and candidate reluctance also hinders progress.
Musk says the party will field candidates in select House and Senate races during next year’s midterm elections.
In response, Trump threatened to reevaluate massive federal contracts with Musk’s companies and called the efficiency department Musk once led a “monster that may go back and eat Elon.”
