Elon Musk has never been afraid to break things – rules, conventions, and now, the two-party stronghold of American politics. Last week, the Tesla and SpaceX chief announced the formation of the “America Party”, vowing to end what he calls the “Republican/Democrat uniparty” system. The move set off a predictably scornful response from President Donald Trump, who called Musk’s new venture “ridiculous” and labelled the billionaire a “train wreck.”
Trump, with characteristic bravado, said, “Third parties have never worked. He can have fun with it.” On Truth Social, he doubled down, portraying Musk as unstable and warning that third parties only bring “disruption and chaos.” For a man who thrives on both, this was a curious rebuke.
The spat isn’t just about political philosophies. Underneath lies personal grievance. Musk’s party announcement came shortly after Trump signed his landmark ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’, which scrapped the federal electric vehicle mandate – a blow to Tesla’s business model. Musk, who once funded Trump’s campaigns and headed the Department of Government Efficiency, resigned in May over ballooning deficits under Trump’s watch. From that moment, their public unraveling was inevitable.
Musk, for his part, hit back in typical style. He questioned the very existence of Truth Social, posting, “What’s Truth Social? Never heard of it.” He invoked Frank Herbert’s Dune, quoting, “Fear is the mind-killer,” signalling he’s unafraid of Trump’s threats – including hints about reducing NASA contracts for SpaceX or even deporting the South African-born entrepreneur.
At its core, this is the collision of two men who refuse to be upstaged. Trump is angered by Musk’s willingness to siphon off Republican voters and possibly play spoiler. Musk, ever the contrarian, sees a moral cause in breaking the duopoly – or perhaps a strategic way to strengthen his influence in Washington.
But history offers clues to how this drama might end. Trump has a consistent pattern: he falls out with everyone. His wives, his business partners, his lawyers, his cabinet members, and even his Vice President Mike Pence have all been cast aside once they no longer serve his interests or challenge his ego. Pence’s refusal to overturn the 2020 election results was met with public derision and personal vilification by Trump. His long-time fixer Michael Cohen became an enemy once legal troubles loomed. Former allies like Steve Bannon, John Bolton, and Jeff Sessions all faced similar fates.
Musk’s offence – challenging Trump’s supremacy – is far greater than theirs. The stakes are higher, too. Tesla relies heavily on federal EV credits. SpaceX’s dominance in space launches is linked to NASA and defence contracts. In that sense, Musk’s America Party is as much a business gamble as a political one. Trump knows this, and his threats are a reminder that American politics is not just about votes, but also about regulatory and contractual leverage.
Yet, Musk is not easily cowed. He sees his party as a practical tool. “Backing a candidate for president is not out of the question, but the focus for the next 12 months is on the House and the Senate,” he wrote on X. His strategy is to influence Congress enough to block bills or push amendments. In a recent X poll, two-thirds of respondents supported breaking away from the two-party system. While online polls are hardly scientific, they fuel Musk’s conviction that his political venture has grassroots appeal.
But is Musk overestimating his power? His foray into Wisconsin’s judicial race this spring ended in embarrassment after his heavily funded candidate lost badly. Political money doesn’t always translate to votes, especially when the source is a polarising billionaire. Republicans could paint Musk as a spoiler, splitting conservative votes and enabling Democrats to win tight races. That would be an ironic end for a tycoon who poured resources into defeating Democrats just last year.
Meanwhile, Trump remains unbothered publicly. His party machinery is humming; his base remains devoted. The elimination of the EV mandate is a signature win he will trumpet throughout his campaign. For Musk, the stakes are existential. Tesla’s future is tied to favourable policies; SpaceX’s future is tied to government goodwill. Rivals like Jeff Bezos are watching keenly – if Musk loses his Washington sheen, new opportunities await for Blue Origin and Amazon’s lobbying network.
Ultimately, this feud is more than two billionaires exchanging barbs. It is about power, influence, and the fragility of political alliances built on transactional needs rather than shared ideology. Trump’s response reveals his fear of division in Republican ranks. Musk’s riposte reveals his desire to remain the world’s most consequential disruptor.
In politics, as in business, neither man likes to lose. But as Trump’s history shows, falling out with him often comes with lasting consequences. Whether Musk’s America Party becomes a true force or a footnote, one thing is certain – America’s political circus just added one more raging bull to its already crowded ring.
