On Saturday, Elon Musk stunned U.S. politics by announcing the formation of the 'America Party' in a direct response to President Trump's latest tax-cut and spending bill, derisively dubbed the 'big and beautiful' bill. Musk warned that the legislation could drive America toward bankruptcy.
The announcement followed a July 4 poll on his X platform, where he asked 180 million followers whether he should start a new political party. Out of more than 1.2 million responses, roughly 65 percent voted in favor. Musk wrote that by a factor of 2 to 1, followers wanted a new party—and so they got one.
Pressed about whether the America Party will compete in the 2026 midterms or the 2028 presidential race, Musk responded simply: 'Next year.' But the legal path to formal party recognition under U.S. election law is complex, requiring conventions, interim leadership elections, and detailed paperwork—steps Musk has yet to outline.
This move marks a sharp pivot in Musk's relationship with President Trump. Once a close ally, Musk donated nearly $300 million to Trump's campaign and even led the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during the previous administration. But in May, he resigned from DOGE and labeled Trump's 'big and beautiful' bill 'utterly insane and destructive,' accusing lawmakers of promoting 'debt slavery.'
Tensions escalated when Trump threatened to revoke Musk's U.S. residency and strip Tesla and SpaceX of federal funding. Musk fired back on X, saying he was 'literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now,' referring to federal subsidies.
At the World Peace Forum, Stanford fellow Thomas Fingar noted that while the tax bill carries long-term risks, the high-profile feud feels more like reality TV than a serious policy debate, raising questions about the future of U.S. political discourse.
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Fueled by fury over Trump's tax bill, Musk launches 'America Party'
cgtn.com
