By now, most Americans know Elon Musk isn’t afraid to speak his mind – or shake things up. But his latest move might just be the biggest political curveball yet.
The billionaire entrepreneur – known for building Tesla, launching rockets with SpaceX, and owning the social media platform X – has threatened to start a third political party.
He’s calling it the “America Party.” And unlike most Twitter talk, Musk seems dead serious.
Why? It all started with a fight over spending.
The “Big, Beautiful” Backfire
Earlier this year, Musk split with former President Donald Trump, who he heavily supported during the 2024 campaign.
In fact, Musk poured close to $300 million into pro-Trump causes and helped fund conservative candidates through his “America PAC.”
But in June 2025, Musk drew a red line.
He blasted a Republican tax-and-spend bill – what Trump proudly called the “Big, Beautiful Bill” – saying it would add between $2.4 and $5 trillion to the national debt.
Musk called it “a disgusting abomination” and warned Republicans who voted for it:
“They will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”
That’s not just tough talk. Musk has the money to make it happen.
A Party for “the 80% in the Middle”?
Musk then asked his 220 million X followers if it was time to start a new political party to represent the “80% in the middle.”
The idea quickly caught fire online. A few days later, Musk said if the GOP spending bill passed, the America Party would be born.
He says the current two-party system – both Democrats and Republicans – has become a “uniparty” that no longer listens to regular Americans.
In short: he thinks Washington is broken. And he’s threatening to bulldoze the system.
The Pros: Money, Megaphone, and Momentum
There are some clear reasons why Musk might succeed – at least in shaking things up.
- He’s got the cash. With an estimated net worth over $400 billion, Musk could outspend most political parties. He already showed in 2024 that he’s willing to drop big money on races he cares about.
- He owns the microphone. By controlling X, Musk can speak directly to voters and supporters without having to go through the media. That’s a huge advantage in today’s online-first political world.
- Voter frustration is real. A recent Pew survey shows two-thirds of Americans are fed up with the two major parties. Many younger and independent voters are looking for something new.
- Policy that speaks to innovation. A Musk-led party would likely focus on things like AI, space exploration, birthrates, and cutting red tape. That kind of forward-looking message might connect with tech-savvy, freedom-loving Americans who feel ignored by both parties.
Even Andrew Yang, who started the “Forward Party,” said he’d be open to working with Musk.
The Cons: Risky, Rocky, and Real Complications
But let’s pump the brakes. Starting a new party isn’t easy – and there’s a long list of reasons why Musk’s idea could backfire.
- It could split the GOP vote. That’s the biggest concern among conservatives. If Musk draws away Trump voters or independents leaning right, it could hand Democrats a win in close races. As one X user put it: “You’ll do damage to the right and give benefits to the left.”
- The “middle 80%” doesn’t really exist. Political experts say the true number of voters in the center is closer to 15%, not 80%. Most voters still lean right or left, and trying to please everyone often pleases no one.
- His past behavior turns people off. Musk has said and posted some eyebrow-raising things – sometimes walking them back, sometimes doubling down. Even Steve Bannon, former Trump advisor, called Musk’s recent behavior “outrageous” and warned about political fallout.
- The system isn’t built for third parties. Ballot access rules, winner-take-all elections, and limited media coverage all make it hard for new parties to compete. Just ask Ross Perot, who tried it in the ‘90s. He made noise, but didn’t win.
- Business backlash is real. Trump didn’t hold back. He threatened to cut government contracts to Musk’s companies, especially SpaceX, which works closely with NASA. Not long after, Tesla’s stock dropped 14.3%, wiping out about $150 billion in value in one day.
Getting into politics could hurt Musk’s companies – and even slow down projects that help the country.
So What’s Next?
It’s still not clear if Musk will go through with starting the America Party.
Some believe it’s just a pressure tactic to stop the GOP from spending too much. Others think he might actually be gearing up to run candidates in 2026.
Either way, conservatives should take this seriously.
Musk isn’t some Hollywood actor making noise on social media. He’s got billions, a huge following, and a platform to shape public debate.
Whether you love or hate the idea of a Musk-backed third party, it raises big questions:
- Can conservatives hold the line on spending without falling apart?
- Will GOP voters rally together—or splinter apart?
- And is this the beginning of a bigger political shift?
Time will tell. But if Elon Musk does start a new party, Washington might never be the same.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
