President Donald Trump has responded to the announcement of Elon Musk launching his own political party, labeling it as “ridiculous.” Trump remarked, “I believe it’s absurd to establish a third party. We have achieved remarkable success with the Republican Party. The Democrats have lost their direction, but it has always been a two-party system, and I think initiating a third party merely creates confusion.” Although the U.S. does have more than two political parties in theory, the Democratic and Republican parties prevail, leading to a two-party framework. Trump added, “Third parties have never been effective. He can enjoy it, but I find it ridiculous.”
Trump also spoke on the issue via his Truth Social account, asserting that Musk is frustrated with him for terminating an alleged “EV mandate,” which Trump claims would have compelled everyone to quickly purchase an Electric Car. However, such a law never existed, although Trump did eliminate incentives promoting electric vehicle adoption, including a $7,500 tax credit for new EV purchasers. Trump stated, “I am disheartened to see Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ effectively becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks. He even wishes to initiate a Third Political Party, regardless of the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States.”
Musk declared his new “America Party” after conducting a poll on X, where 65 percent of 1.2 million voters expressed support for the idea. Musk wrote on X, “Regarding bankrupting our country with waste & corruption, we exist within a one-party system, not a democracy.” He described the Democratic and Republican parties as essentially the same, asserting, “Today, the America Party is established to restore your freedom.”
Musk has offered some insights into his strategy for the America Party, which will not pursue the presidency at this time. He shared, “The method we will employ to disrupt the uniparty system is akin to how Epaminondas shattered the illusion of Spartan invincibility at Leuctra: Highly concentrated force at a specific point on the battlefield.” Epaminondas was a Greek general who led the Thebans to victory against the Spartans at the Battle of Leuctra. Musk’s approach focuses on securing 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts to act as the pivotal vote on contentious legislation.
Musk had previously warned of starting the “America Party” if Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” were to pass, which it did, resulting in Trump signing it into law. Musk is unable to run for president since he is not a “natural born Citizen” of the U.S., but as the wealthiest individual globally, he possesses other methods to sway U.S. politics. Establishing his own political party will serve as another means for him to exert influence.