Elon Musk has asked whether it’s “time to create a new political party in America” as his increasingly acrimonious public feud with President Donald Trump intensifies.
Why It Matters
Musk resigned from his position at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) last week and quickly turned on the president, criticising the “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed by the House of Representatives last month.
The Tesla CEO and former Trump ally slammed the bill as “outrageous” and “pork-filled,” attacking Republicans who voted in favour.
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk posted on X earlier this week. “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it—you know you did wrong.”
What to Know
On Thursday, Musk escalated the feud by launching a poll on X asking: “Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?”
Over 400,000 users responded, with 83.4% backing the idea of forming a centrist third party.
The concept of a third party in U.S. politics has been raised before, but remains widely seen as unviable. The Tea Party, once an insurgent movement, was eventually absorbed by the Republicans, while Independent Senator Bernie Sanders twice sought the Democratic nomination, viewing it as the only realistic route to the presidency.
In a December interview with Newsweek, former Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci speculated that a Trump win in 2024 could lead to a third party’s emergence—but added, “It can’t happen. It won’t happen.”
Related:
– Elon Musk Uses Trump’s Own Words Against Him
– Trump Responds to Musk’s Bill Criticism
– Bernie Sanders Agrees with Musk
– Marjorie Taylor Greene Partly Agrees with Musk on Trump-Backed Bill
The Trump–Musk Feud
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference with Elon Musk (left) in the Oval Office, Washington, D.C., 30 May 2025.
Photo: Allison Robbert / AFP via Getty Images
“You can’t have a third-party United States—Ross Perot killed that,” Scaramucci said. “He ran for president, got 19.9 percent of the vote, and terrified both parties. They locked things down. They shook hands. They pinkie-swore.”
Trump has responded forcefully to Musk’s criticisms, claiming—both in the Oval Office and on Truth Social—that Musk’s real grievance lies in the removal of an electric vehicle mandate “that forced everyone to buy electric cars nobody wanted.”
On Thursday, Trump further escalated tensions, posting: “The easiest way to save money in our Budget—Billions and Billions of Dollars—is to terminate Elon’s government subsidies and contracts. I was always surprised Biden didn’t do it!”
What People Are Saying
Donald Trump on Truth Social:
“Elon was ‘wearing thin’. I asked him to leave. I scrapped his EV mandate—which he knew I was going to do—and he just went CRAZY!”
Elon Musk on X:
“Keep the EV/solar incentive cuts in the bill, but also slash the insane spending increases in the Big Ugly Bill before America goes bankrupt!”
What Happens Next
The clash between Musk and Trump continues to escalate, with both figures trading jabs and revelations across X and Truth Social—fuelled by political ambition, policy disputes, and personal resentment.
