A New Party?

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?️ Musk's new party

Via X

Elon Musk declared he's forming a new political party, "the America Party," via a post on X yesterday. Why it matters: Musk is the world's richest man, and his dollars could make a difference in tight races next November, Axios' Dan Primack reports. The announcement came after President Trump signed the "big, beautiful bill," his signature legislation of which Musk has been an outspoken critic. On Friday, Musk had put out a poll for X followers, asking if they "want independence from the two party (some would say uniparty) system." ? The intrigue: Musk also floated an electoral strategy for the party Friday. One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts. Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people. Reality check: Musk didn't identify any specific races. So, for now, this is just a trial balloon. ? What's next: Musk signaled he'll move fast. Early this morning, he asked his 222 million followers on X: "When & where should we hold the inaugural American Party congress? This will be super fun!" Grok, the chatbot of Musk's xAI, suggested on X: "Austin, TX, in late August 2025—central location, innovative vibe, and timely before elections. It aligns with putting people first." Musk replied: "Good suggestion."

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Musk Launches Party

Billionaire Elon Musk said Saturday he has formed a political party, the America Party, to challenge the dominant two-party system in the US. It is not clear who will lead the party, which has not been registered with the Federal Election Commission as of this writing.    Musk's announcement comes after President Donald Trump signed his sweeping domestic policy bill into law Friday—a longstanding point of contention between the two former allies. Musk had publicly taken issue with the bill over its projected addition of at least $3.3T to the nation's ballooning $36.2T debt (explore the US debt here). The bill notably does not include subsidies for electric vehicles like those produced by Musk-owned Tesla. Musk says the America Party will target two to three Senate seats and eight to 10 House seats, enough to serve as a caucus in contentious bills moving forward.   Musk was the single-largest political donor in the 2024 presidential election cycle, contributing over $290M to Trump and other Republican candidates.

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? Trump calls new Musk party "ridiculous"

Screenshot: @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social

Responding to Elon Musk's weekend announcement that he has formed a new party, the America Party, President Trump told reporters as he left New Jersey last evening that third parties "have never worked. So he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous." Shortly thereafter, in a 300+-word post on his social-media platform, Truth Social, Trump added: "I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely 'off the rails,' essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks. He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States - The System seems not designed for them. The one thing Third Parties are good for is the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS." Musk shot back on X, his social platform: "What's Truth Social?"

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Behind the scenes: Angling to help Musk party

Elon Musk is fielding offers for help on his new political party from Andrew Yang's Forward Party, the Libertarian Party and several consultants, Axios' Brittany Gibson has learned.

• Why it matters: Musk has said he wants his America Party to be a political disruptor in the 2026 midterms — a likely outlet for the billionaire's push to cut the nation's runaway debt and boost sustainable energy.

"I'm in touch with Elon and his team, and I've said to them: 'Look, anyone who wants to challenge the duopoly has a friend in me,'" Yang said in an interview with Axios.

• Yang said he might help Musk recruit candidates in the House districts where Musk is looking to challenge incumbents.

Via X

No Labels, an organization that considered trying to run an independent presidential candidate in 2024, is also intrigued by Musk's interest in creating a new governing coalition in Congress, according to a representative from the group.

• The Libertarian Party is lobbying Musk where he lives — on X — urging him to join Libertarians over a shared interest of fiscal responsibility and concern about the deficit.

? Between the lines: Being the world's richest person will help Musk — where there's money, there are consultants and advisers.

• "I guarantee you every grifter in the petitioning world is already trying to get their claws into Musk," a third-party ballot access consultant told Axios.
• Musk, the consultant added, needs "the pros, not the bros."

Hans Nichols and Alex Isenstadt contributed reporting.

• Go deeper: Elon Musk's empire at risk as Trump fallout deepens.

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How the Know-Nothings, Free Soilers and other third parties shaped US politics

Elon Musk’s plan to create a new political party puts him in the company of a long line of business and political titans looking to upend the two-party system that has dominated U.S. politics. From the Anti-Masonic Party in the early 1800s to last year’s ill-fated No Labels, nascent political parties have been a near-constant feature of U.S. politics. Read More.

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? Musk's party is failing to launch

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

Elon Musk's new political party is so far a no-go on the launch pad, Axios' Brittany Gibson writes. Why it matters: A Musk-backed "America Party" could disrupt the midterms and escalate his feud with President Trump. But "Musk has read the room," said Dan Ives, a Wedbush Securities analyst who's followed him for decades. The rockets-to-robotaxis billionaire hasn't taken visible steps to make formal filings for the America Party, and once-frenetic whispers from third-party consultants about working for him have gone radio silent. Tensions between Trump and his former best buddy also seem to be eased with Trump posting on Truth Social last week: "I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before!" ? The intrigue: The America PAC, the vehicle Musk used to spend roughly $250 million in the 2024 campaign, remains active. Though it hasn't made any filings this year, the super PAC's spending power remains an electoral weapon.