Washington, July 7, 2025 (AFP):
In a sharp escalation of tensions between two of America’s most high-profile figures, President Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed Elon Musk’s newly announced political venture—the America Party—as “ridiculous,” accusing the tech billionaire of causing “disruption and chaos.”
The feud marks a major public fallout between the former allies, who once worked closely during Trump’s first term when Musk led the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The two parted ways after clashing over Trump’s ambitious tax and spending legislation, which Musk claimed would “explode the US debt.”
Trump’s Scathing Response
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Trump said:
“It’s always been a two-party system, and I think starting a third party just adds to confusion. Third parties have never worked. So he can have fun with it, but I think it’s ridiculous.”
He didn’t hold back on Truth Social either, calling Musk a “TRAIN WRECK” who had gone “completely off the rails.”
“The one thing third parties are good for is the creation of complete and total disruption and chaos, and we have enough of that with the Radical Left Democrats,” Trump posted mid-flight.
Musk’s America Party: A Bold Move
Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO, announced the creation of the America Party on Saturday via a post on X, the platform he owns:
“When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.”
While details remain scarce, political observers say Musk’s third-party ambitions could complicate Republican efforts in the 2026 midterms and potentially fracture conservative voters.
White House Responds
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also weighed in during a CNN interview, suggesting Musk should stay in his corporate lane:
“I believe that the boards of directors at his companies want him to focus on business, not politics. That’s where he excels.”
The End of a Political Bromance
Musk’s departure from DOGE in May was seen as amicable—he was even awarded a golden key to the White House during a strange Oval Office ceremony. But soon after, the relationship soured over Musk’s criticism of Trump’s flagship economic bill and the loss of electric vehicle subsidies, which hurt Tesla’s bottom line.
As of now, Musk has not confirmed whether America Party has been officially registered, and no formal platform has been released.
The Trump-Musk feud continues to draw national attention and could reshape the political landscape heading into the 2026 and 2028 election cycles.
