Once allies in reshaping American politics, Donald Trump and Elon Musk now seem locked in a high-profile fallout that’s part political feud, part personal drama.
Over the weekend, Trump took a swipe at Musk’s latest move—launching a third political party—and didn’t hold back.
Trump Dismisses Musk’s ‘America Party’ as a Joke
While returning from a weekend at his Bedminster golf resort in New Jersey, Trump told reporters he thinks Musk’s new “America Party” is downright “ridiculous.”
The former president called the idea of a third party a lost cause, saying the U.S. political system is built for just two.
“It’s sad to watch Elon go completely off the rails,” Trump said.
“He’s basically become a train wreck over the past five weeks.
Third parties never work here, but hey—have fun.”
Musk Hits Back with Official Party Launch
Elon Musk wasn’t just bluffing. On Sunday, he filed formal paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to create his America Party, making good on weeks of threats.
He’s framed it as a rebellion against what he sees as a broken political system.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Musk wrote: “When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste and graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.
Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”
What Sparked the Fallout Between Them?
This dramatic turn didn’t come out of nowhere.
The fallout started with Trump’s “big, beautiful bill”—a massive government funding package Musk bitterly opposed.
He was furious the bill excluded federal support for electric vehicles and added to the national debt.
At the time, Musk was still serving in his government advisory role and had pushed to slash federal spending.
As the bill moved through Congress, Musk publicly attacked it, threatened lawmakers with primary challenges, and eventually said he’d create a new party.
Despite his protests, the bill passed—and Trump signed it on the Fourth of July.
A Former Alliance in Ruins
The split is especially striking given how close the two once were.
Musk helped fund Trump’s 2024 campaign, reportedly pouring in nearly $300 million.
Trump had even offered him a stay in the Lincoln Bedroom during their earlier bromance.
But things soured quickly during the debate over the funding bill.
Their once-friendly dynamic devolved into an online clash—with Musk threatening to launch a third party and Trump going as far as to suggest deporting the naturalized U.S. citizen.
Will Musk’s Party Actually Make a Difference?
Musk has the money, but turning a new political party into a real force won’t be easy.
Each U.S. state has its own rules for getting on the ballot.
Plus, deeply gerrymandered congressional districts make it tough for outsiders to break through.
Still, Musk’s deep pockets could be a game-changer—especially with the 2026 midterms coming up.
With Republicans holding slim leads in both the House and Senate, even small shifts could flip control of Congress.
As it stands, Republicans have 53 Senate seats.
In the House, they hold 220 seats to Democrats’ 212, with three seats currently vacant.
The margins are thin—meaning Musk’s money, and any candidates he backs, could swing tight races.
Musk’s Sunday Social Media Blitz
Musk spent much of Sunday actively engaging with users on X, asking for feedback on his new political movement.
He seemed to confirm that the America Party would be a player in the next election cycle.
In one of his angriest posts yet, he blasted the GOP for hypocrisy: “The Republican Party has a clean sweep of the executive, legislative and judicial branches and STILL increased the size of government, expanding the national debt by FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS.”
The Billionaire’s Battle Plan
Musk ended the weekend by laying out his strategy to disrupt what he calls the “uniparty.”
Referencing an ancient Greek battle, he wrote: “We’re going to crack the system using a variant of how Epaminondas shattered the myth of Spartan invincibility at Leuctra: Extremely concentrated force at a precise location on the battlefield.”
In short, Musk believes targeted attacks in just the right places—districts, issues, and voters—could give his party the impact it needs.