Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and one of the country's most significant political donors, has officially launched a new political platform called the "America Party." Musk announced the formation of the party on his social media platform X, stating that it was designed to challenge what he perceived as a "one-party system" in the United States, accusing both major parties of "bankrupting" the country through "waste & graft." He pledged that the America Party would aim to "give freedom back to the people." While no formal paperwork for the party had been filed, Musk hinted that the party would become active in elections "next year," potentially targeting two or three Senate races and eight to ten congressional races during the US midterm elections in November 2026. He articulated his strategy, likening it to Epaminondas's tactics to shatter Spartan invincibility, implying a highly concentrated force at precise locations.

The announcement immediately drew sharp criticism from US President Donald Trump, a former close ally of Musk. Trump swiftly dismissed the idea as "ridiculous," reiterating his unwavering faith in the traditional two-party system. In a series of statements and posts on Truth Social, Trump branded Musk a "TRAIN WRECK" who had gone "completely 'off the rails'" over the past five weeks. He asserted that third parties have "never succeeded in the United States," suggesting that the American system is not designed for them, and that their sole purpose is to create "Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS," which he claimed was already sufficiently present due to the "Radical Left Democrats."

The feud between Musk and Trump intensified following the signing of Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill," a significant legislative achievement that eliminated the federal electric vehicle (EV) mandate. Musk had vocally opposed this multitrillion-dollar spending package, calling it a "disgusting abomination" that would "massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit." Trump, however, defended the bill, accusing Musk of opposing it primarily because it removed federal EV mandates that had benefited his business interests. Trump also claimed that despite his well-known opposition to EV mandates, Musk had given him "total and unquestioned Endorsement," expressing surprise when Musk allegedly confirmed no issues with his stance on the matter.

Further deepening the rift, Trump revealed an alleged attempt by Musk to influence governmental appointments. Trump claimed Musk asked for a close friend to run NASA, noting that while the friend was capable, he was a "blue blooded Democrat" who had never contributed to the Republican party. Trump found it inappropriate for someone closely tied to Musk and involved in the space business to lead NASA, given NASA's substantial role in Musk's corporate life, asserting his primary duty was to "protect the American Public."

Musk, who was once one of Trump’s top donors for the 2024 election and a key figure in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a temporary organization established to cut budget costs—had a significant fallout with the US President. The "honeymoon" between the two ended as Musk, leading cost-cutting efforts, grew incensed by Trump's sweeping domestic policy bill. Their ongoing "war of words" highlights the stark ideological and personal clashes between the tech mogul and the former president, with Trump even having previously threatened to sic DOGE on Musk and mull his potential deportation.