Elon Musk to launch 'America Party' as feud with Trump intensifies
A day after asking his followers on X whether a new US political party should be created, Mr Musk declared in a post on Saturday: "Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom. By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!"
The announcement came after Mr Trump signed the " big, beautiful" tax-cut spending bill into law on Friday, legislation Mr Musk strongly opposes.
Mr Musk, who became the world's richest man thanks to his Tesla car company and SpaceX satellite firm, spent hundreds of millions on Mr Trump's re-election and led the Department of Government Efficiency from the start of the president's second term, aimed at slashing the administration's spending.
Mr Musk previously vowed to launch a new political party to challenge legislators who campaigned on reducing federal spending only to vote for the bill, which experts say will pile an extra $3.4 trillion over a decade on to the US deficit. The US President threatened to cut off the billions of dollars in subsidies that Mr Musk's companies receive from the federal government.
"They will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth," Mr Musk said.
Republicans have expressed concern that the Trump-Musk feud could hurt their chances of protecting their majority in the 2026 midterm congressional elections.
Mr Trump said he believed Mr Musk's criticism of his Big Beautiful Bill was due to measures that cut subsidies and support for electric vehicles.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Iran receives Chinese surface-to-air-missile batteries after Israel ceasefire deal
Iran has taken possession of Chinese surface-to-air missile batteries as Tehran rapidly moves to rebuild defensives destroyed by Israel during their recent 12-day conflict, sources have told Middle East Eye. The deliveries of Chinese surface-to-air missile batteries occurred after a de-facto truce was struck between Iran and Israel on 24 June, an Arab official familiar with the intelligence told MEE. Another Arab official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive intelligence, said that the US's Arab allies were aware of Tehran's efforts to "back up and reinforce" its air defences and that the White House had been informed of Iran's progress. The officials did not say how many surface-to-air missiles, or SAMs, Iran had received from China since the end of the fighting. However, one of the Arab officials said that Iran was paying for the SAMs with oil shipments. China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, and the US Energy Information Administration suggested in a report in May that nearly 90 percent of Iran's crude and condensate exports flow to Beijing. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters For several years, China has imported record amounts of Iranian oil despite US sanctions, using countries such as Malaysia as a transshipment hub to mask the crude's origin. "The Iranians engage in creative ways of trading," the second Arab official told MEE. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump are expected to discuss Iran and its nuclear programme when they meet on Monday. MEE reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication. Deepening relationship The shipments mark a deepening of Beijing's relationship with Tehran and come as some in the West noted that China and Russia appeared to keep a distance from Iran amid Israel's unprecedented attacks. Israel achieved air superiority over Iran's skies during the conflict, destroying ballistic missile launch pads and assassinating Iranian generals and scientists. Despite this, the government endured the strikes. It was also able to continue firing ballistic missiles at Israel, decimating several sensitive sites in Tel Aviv and Haifa before a ceasefire took hold. By allowing Israel to bomb Iran, Trump is pushing Tehran to go nuclear Read More » In the late 1980s, Iran received HY-2 Silkworm cruise missiles from China via North Korea when it was at war with Iraq. The Islamic Republic used the missiles to attack Kuwait and strike a US-flagged oil tanker during the so-called tanker wars. In 2010, there were reports that Iran received HQ9 anti-aircraft missiles from China. Iran is believed to use Russia's S-300, which is capable of engaging aircraft and UAVs in addition to providing some cruise and ballistic missile defence capability, as well as older Chinese systems and locally produced batteries such as the Khordad series and the Bavar-373. These systems are believed to have a limited ability to shoot down the US F-35 stealth warplane that Israel operates. China already sells its HQ-9 and HQ-16 air defence systems to Pakistan. Egypt is also understood to have China's HQ-9 system, according to reports.
Middle East Eye
4 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Israel seeking US support for further Iran strikes: Report
Axios reported on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the White House will include discussions on US support for further Israeli strikes on Iran. President Donald Trump took credit for ending what he coined "the 12-day war" between the two countries last month, but only after the US conducted its own strikes on Iran's three nuclear facilities - something no other US president had done. "Israeli officials say Netanyahu wants to reach understandings with Trump about future US nuclear negotiations with Iran, and on possible scenarios that would justify renewed military strikes," the Axios report said.
Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Trump to meet Netanyahu in push for Gaza deal
7 July 2025 23:45 Washington (AFP) US President Donald Trump hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to push for an end to the Gaza has said he believes there is a "good chance" of an agreement this week for a ceasefire in the devastated Palestinian territory, hot on the heels of a truce in the war between Israel and US president -- who has expressed increasing concern over the situation in Gaza in recent weeks -- will have dinner behind closed doors with Netanyahu, their third meeting since Trump returned to House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said it was Trump's "utmost priority... to end the war in Gaza."Leavitt said Trump wanted Hamas to agree to a US-brokered proposal "right now".The latest round of negotiations on the war in Gaza began on Sunday, with representatives seated in different rooms in the same building. 'Good chance' Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff was due to join the talks later this week in an effort to get a ceasefire over the line as the Gaza conflict nears its 22nd month.
