Elon Musk suggests creating a new political party amid Trump rift

Elon Musk has stirred fresh political speculation by suggesting the creation of a new political party in the U.S., signaling a widening divide between the billionaire and former President Donald Trump.

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO floated the idea on Thursday on X (formerly Twitter), where he posted a poll to his 220 million followers, asking if it was "time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle." The poll results showed overwhelming support, with 80% backing the idea.

Musk followed up with a cryptic message: “This is fate,” and later expressed support for a follower’s suggestion to name the potential party the “America Party.” The name mirrors "America PAC," a super PAC Musk formed last year, which funneled $239 million into supporting Trump and other Republican candidates during the 2024 elections.

However, forming a viable third party is a complex and uphill task. While major parties enjoy ballot access in all states, a new party would have to clear intricate legal and logistical hurdles across the country. Additionally, while Musk can legally contribute unlimited funds to his super PAC, donations to official political parties are tightly regulated, with strict contribution caps.

Despite these challenges, Musk’s political ambitions remain murky. On Friday, he reacted nonchalantly with an “Ok” to a user suggesting that his influence would be more effective through Republican primaries. He also appeared open to the idea of reforming a major party from within, replying “Hmm” to such a proposal.

These developments come at a time of open conflict between Musk and Trump. Earlier this week, Musk criticized the Trump-endorsed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, calling it a “disgusting abomination” and urging lawmakers to reject it. Their spat intensified Thursday, with Trump threatening to cut federal subsidies to Musk’s companies, while Musk accused Trump of being ungrateful for the financial support he received during his campaign.

Musk’s recent political maneuvering coincides with his announcement last month that he plans to scale back his political spending—though he left the door open for future involvement. He also recently concluded his advisory role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump.

In a post aimed at GOP lawmakers, Musk delivered a subtle warning: “Trump has 3.5 years left as President, but I will be around for 40+ years.”