Elon Musk has announced the creation of a new political party—the America Party—after polling his followers on X (formerly Twitter) about the idea.
The billionaire entrepreneur revealed the move just weeks after his highly publicized fallout with former President Donald Trump, signaling a sharp break from his previous political alliances. Musk framed the new party as a direct challenge to the Republican and Democratic dominance, claiming that the current system fails to represent true democracy. However, it remains unclear whether the party has been officially registered with U.S. election authorities, and Musk, who is ineligible to run for president due to his South African birth, has not named a potential leader.
The announcement came after Musk asked his followers on Friday whether a new political party should be formed, with 67% of respondents voting in favor. By Saturday, Musk declared, “By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!” He criticized the existing political establishment, stating, “When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.” The timing of his announcement was notable, coming just one day after President Trump signed a controversial tax-cut and spending bill that Musk had vehemently opposed.
Musk was once a staunch Trump ally, contributing millions to his campaign and even serving in his administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, their relationship soured in May when Musk resigned and publicly condemned Trump’s fiscal policies. His new political venture appears to be an attempt to position himself as an independent force in U.S. politics, though third parties have historically struggled to gain significant traction. The Federal Election Commission had not yet listed the America Party as officially registered as of Saturday.
While Musk’s influence and wealth could bring attention to the America Party, breaking the Republican-Democrat duopoly remains a formidable challenge. Past third-party efforts, such as Ross Perot’s Reform Party or the Libertarian Party, have failed to sustain long-term success. Musk’s ability to mobilize his massive online following may give the party an initial boost, but without a clear leader or policy platform, its future remains uncertain. Whether the America Party can disrupt the political landscape or fade into obscurity will depend on its ability to attract broader support beyond Musk’s core fanbase.
