Elon Musk is threatening to launch a new third party, dubbed the “America Party”, in direct response to President Trump’s massive budget legislation, sparking an explosive feud with Steve Bannon and rattling Washington’s power dynamics.
At a Glance
- Elon Musk publicly floated the “America Party” on July 4 to challenge the two‑party system and target key congressional seats.
- Musk’s proposal follows the passage of Trump’s controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which he says burdens taxpayers and undercuts clean-energy incentives.
- Over 65 % of 1.25 million participants in Musk’s online poll supported forming the party.
- Steve Bannon publicly attacked Musk’s citizenship, calling him a “buffoon” and advocating deportation.
- Musk responded by threatening to finance primary challenges against lawmakers who supported the bill.
Strategy to Seize Control
Musk envisions a laser-focused campaign strategy: concentrate on 2–3 Senate seats and 8–10 House districts in tightly divided states to hold decisive votes on major legislation, according to The Guardian.
He criticized the fiscal direction of Trump’s budget, labeling it an “abomination” that will balloon the national debt and degrade incentives for green energy—an issue deeply tied to Tesla’s future. By leveraging his massive online following and capital, Musk aims to pivot the balance of power in Congress.
Watch a report: Bannon attacks Musk
Feud Erupts Between Musk and Bannon
Steve Bannon, champion of MAGA’s populist wing, unleashed a torrent of attacks on his former ally, accusing Musk of being a “South African foreigner” unfit to launch an American party.
He dismissed Musk as a “buffoon” and demanded deportation—despite Musk’s U.S. citizenship since 2002. Musk fired back on X (formerly Twitter), targeting Bannon’s past legal troubles and warning he “could go back to prison,” as reported by Yahoo News.
This public showdown has sharply divided MAGA leadership and activists, with some aligning with Trump and others intrigued by Musk’s policy critique, according to Time.
What Comes Next
Musk is prepared to back primary challengers to any member of Congress who endorsed Trump’s spending plan, reinforcing his threat to reshape political alliances, per The Guardian.
However, analysts question whether a new national party can overcome ballot-access obstacles and gain sufficient infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Libertarian Party is reportedly exploring collaboration, though leveraging existing structures may prove more practical than starting from scratch.
Musk’s move to found the “America Party” could mark a seismic shift in U.S. politics: a billionaire revolt rocking MAGA’s core and threatening established power. Whether this initiative gains real traction or blazes out remains to be seen—but the battle lines have been drawn.
