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Business Standard
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Elon Musk announces new 'America Party', but can he be US president?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced the formation of a new political outfit—the America Party—with a mission to challenge what he described as a 'one-party system' in the United States. The move, declared on his platform X on July 6, follows a very public split with former ally and US President Donald Trump. 'Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom,' Musk posted on X. 'When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste and graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.' The announcement has fuelled speculation over Musk's political ambitions, with many pondering whether he intends to contest the 2028 US presidential election. But the question remains - can he? Elon Musk hints at electoral push Responding to a user on X who asked whether he would run in the midterms or in 2028, Musk replied, 'Next year.' While the comment triggered fresh discussion about a possible electoral foray, Musk remains constitutionally barred from seeking the presidency. As per Article II, Section 1 of the US Constitution, only natural-born citizens of the US are eligible for the presidency. Musk, born in South Africa, acknowledged this limitation in 2024, stating, 'I cannot be president because of my African birth.' Despite these constraints, Musk's political rhetoric and public polling suggest he is keen on influencing the American political landscape from outside the traditional Democratic and Republican structures. Elon Musk's fallout with Trump Musk's political move comes after a dramatic fallout with Donald Trump. He was once a close adviser and even led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during the initial few months of the Trump administration. Musk also emerged as the largest individual donor to Trump's 2024 campaign. However, the relationship soured over disagreements on Trump's tax and spending bill, which Musk criticised for adding trillions to the federal deficit. The rift culminated in Musk's exit from the DOGE and a series of public jabs between the two. Trump reportedly threatened to review federal contracts awarded to Musk's companies and labelled DOGE 'a monster that may go back and eat Elon". Poll-driven launch for party Musk's decision to float a new party was preceded by a poll posted on July 4 on X, asking users if they wanted 'independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system.' Over 1.2 million users responded, with a 2-to-1 majority in favour. 'By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!' Musk posted on X following the poll. He also shared a meme of a two-headed snake captioned 'End the Uniparty', suggesting bipartisan collusion between Republicans and Democrats in misgovernance. No formal registration yet As of now, there is no formal record of the America Party's registration with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), according to recent filings cited by CNN. Musk has also not revealed where or how the party will be officially registered. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO said the America Party would initially focus on a limited number of House and Senate races in the 2026 midterm elections. He offered few details about its policy platform, apart from describing it as fiscally conservative. Despite the legal bar on his own candidacy, Musk has stated in the past, 'I actually don't want to be president. I want to build rockets and cars.' Still, he indicated he would be willing to assist in governance reform, especially if Trump were re-elected, saying in 2024: 'I'll work hard on the Department of Government Efficiency.'
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Elon Musk can't run for US Presidency, so who will? Inside the mystery of the America Party's future leader
Here's the thing. Elon Musk didn't just announce the America Party out of the blue. He tested the waters first. On 4 July, he posted a poll on X: 'Do you want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system?' Over 1.2 million people answered. By a 2-to-1 margin, they said yes. So Musk replied, 'By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!' He doubled down, adding, 'Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.' He even shared a meme, a two-headed snake, labelled 'End the Uniparty'. Subtlety isn't really his style. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Articles Vally Undo — elonmusk (@elonmusk) Can Musk actually run? Not so fast Plenty of his followers immediately wondered: is he doing this so he can run for president? The answer is no, not legally. The US Constitution is clear. Article II, Section 1 says only a natural-born citizen can run for president. Musk was born in South Africa. He's said it plainly: 'I cannot be president because of my African birth.' Live Events He didn't exactly sound heartbroken about it either. Back when he was still in Trump's corner in 2024, he told a crowd, 'I actually don't want to be president. I want to build rockets and cars.' — AmericaPartyX (@AmericaPartyX) Still, he hinted at wanting a hand in how the government runs. 'I'm hoping that we get President Trump elected, and then I'll work hard on the Department of Government Efficiency,' he said then. From ally to adversary This breakaway move didn't happen in a vacuum. Just weeks ago, Congress passed Trump's so-called Big Beautiful Bill, a tax and spending package Musk hated. It scrapped a popular $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles, which obviously hits Tesla square in the wallet. Musk went on the attack. He threatened Congress on X: 'If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day.' True to his word, he pulled the trigger as soon as Trump signed it. Money is not an issue When it comes to funding, Musk has enough to bankroll this project on his own. Forbes pegs his wealth at $405 billion. He's already spent big — his America PAC dropped about $40.5 million backing Trump's 2024 run. It could now pivot to the America Party. But US law does put limits on direct donations. The McCain-Feingold Act caps individual contributions to a party at $450,000. So unless he wants to play within those limits, Musk will likely lean on super PACs , loopholes that let billionaires spend pretty much what they like, as long as they don't coordinate too directly. Who else is in America Party? Right now, the official list of America Party leaders begins and ends with Musk. But the gossip mill is churning. Some point to Representative Thomas Massie , who voted against the Big Beautiful Bill. Andrew Yang , who co-founded the Forward Party, has said he's open to teaming up, given their mutual hatred for the status quo. Then there's the rumour mill, with Trump ally Laura Loomer claiming 'Tucker Carlson, MTG and Thomas Massie' are all potential leaders. Ron DeSantis' name gets tossed around too, but there's no proof he's interested. So what does Musk want to do with this thing? When asked 'Midterms or 2028?' about election plans, he fired back: 'Next year.' That means the America Party wants to jump into the 2026 midterms targeting House and Senate seats. Will it work? Hard to say. Third parties in America are graveyards for big ideas. The Democrats and Republicans have the machinery, money and courts on their side. But this is Elon Musk. If anyone can throw money, memes and outrage at a political system to see what sticks, it's him. One thing's clear: the man doesn't need a title to make noise. He just needs a stage and right now, he's building one. Musk's beef with the two-party system isn't new. He's long floated the idea of a rival force to break what he calls a political duopoly. The final straw came when Trump's administration pushed a spending package that Musk argued punished future-focused industries like EVs while propping up older sectors. His public fallout with Trump ended his brief stint leading the Department of Government Efficiency or as Musk liked to call it, DOGE. The irony wasn't lost on anyone. The America Party is his latest bet that he can reshape US politics like he did the car and space industries. Whether it's a genuine push for change or just a very loud protest, only time, and a few billion dollars, will tell.
Economic Times
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Elon Musk can't run for US Presidency, so who will? Inside the mystery of the America Party's future leader
Here's the thing. Elon Musk didn't just announce the America Party out of the blue. He tested the waters first. On 4 July, he posted a poll on X: 'Do you want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system?' Over 1.2 million people answered. By a 2-to-1 margin, they said Musk replied, 'By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!' He doubled down, adding, 'Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.'He even shared a meme, a two-headed snake, labelled 'End the Uniparty'. Subtlety isn't really his style. Plenty of his followers immediately wondered: is he doing this so he can run for president? The answer is no, not legally. The US Constitution is clear. Article II, Section 1 says only a natural-born citizen can run for president. Musk was born in South Africa. He's said it plainly: 'I cannot be president because of my African birth.' He didn't exactly sound heartbroken about it either. Back when he was still in Trump's corner in 2024, he told a crowd, 'I actually don't want to be president. I want to build rockets and cars.' — AmericaPartyX (@AmericaPartyX) Still, he hinted at wanting a hand in how the government runs. 'I'm hoping that we get President Trump elected, and then I'll work hard on the Department of Government Efficiency,' he said breakaway move didn't happen in a vacuum. Just weeks ago, Congress passed Trump's so-called Big Beautiful Bill, a tax and spending package Musk hated. It scrapped a popular $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles, which obviously hits Tesla square in the went on the attack. He threatened Congress on X: 'If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day.' True to his word, he pulled the trigger as soon as Trump signed it comes to funding, Musk has enough to bankroll this project on his own. Forbes pegs his wealth at $405 billion. He's already spent big — his America PAC dropped about $40.5 million backing Trump's 2024 run. It could now pivot to the America Party. But US law does put limits on direct donations. The McCain-Feingold Act caps individual contributions to a party at $450,000. So unless he wants to play within those limits, Musk will likely lean on super PACs, loopholes that let billionaires spend pretty much what they like, as long as they don't coordinate too directly. Right now, the official list of America Party leaders begins and ends with Musk. But the gossip mill is churning. Some point to Representative Thomas Massie, who voted against the Big Beautiful Bill. Andrew Yang, who co-founded the Forward Party, has said he's open to teaming up, given their mutual hatred for the status there's the rumour mill, with Trump ally Laura Loomer claiming 'Tucker Carlson, MTG and Thomas Massie' are all potential leaders. Ron DeSantis' name gets tossed around too, but there's no proof he's what does Musk want to do with this thing? When asked 'Midterms or 2028?' about election plans, he fired back: 'Next year.' That means the America Party wants to jump into the 2026 midterms targeting House and Senate it work? Hard to say. Third parties in America are graveyards for big ideas. The Democrats and Republicans have the machinery, money and courts on their side. But this is Elon Musk. If anyone can throw money, memes and outrage at a political system to see what sticks, it's thing's clear: the man doesn't need a title to make noise. He just needs a stage and right now, he's building beef with the two-party system isn't new. He's long floated the idea of a rival force to break what he calls a political duopoly. The final straw came when Trump's administration pushed a spending package that Musk argued punished future-focused industries like EVs while propping up older sectors. His public fallout with Trump ended his brief stint leading the Department of Government Efficiency or as Musk liked to call it, DOGE. The irony wasn't lost on America Party is his latest bet that he can reshape US politics like he did the car and space industries. Whether it's a genuine push for change or just a very loud protest, only time, and a few billion dollars, will tell.
