Washington: President Donald Trump has publicly criticized former ally Elon Musk’s recent announcement to launch a new political party, calling the idea “ridiculous” and asserting his belief in the enduring nature of the U.S. two-party system.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, President Trump stated, “I think it’s ridiculous. We have a tremendous success with [the] Republican party. The Democrats have lost their way, but it’s always been a two-party system, and I think starting a third party just adds to confusion.” He further elaborated on Truth Social, describing Musk as having gone “completely ‘off the rails'” and accusing him of creating “complete and total disruption & chaos.”
Musk, after weeks of hinting at the concept, confirmed over the weekend on his social media platform X that he had founded the “America Party.” He stated its aim is to challenge what he described as the Republican and Democratic “uniparty,” which he claims contributes to the nation’s rising debt and a lack of true representation. Musk’s frustration has been particularly evident following his criticism of the administration’s recent tax and spending bill, which he argued would significantly increase the national debt.
The public spat marks a notable shift in the relationship between the two prominent figures. Musk, the world’s richest man, had previously been a close ally of President Trump, even leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency tasked with reducing federal spending. During his tenure at DOGE, Musk spearheaded efforts to cut billions from the federal bureaucracy, although the claimed savings have been debated and analyzed by various watchdog groups, with some estimates suggesting they fell short of his ambitious targets and even incurred additional costs.
Despite their previous collaboration, Musk has consistently expressed concerns about government policies contributing to the U.S. national debt. His decision to form the “America Party” and challenge the established political landscape signals a deepening rift and a new dimension to his involvement in American politics. Historically, third parties in the U.S. have faced significant challenges in gaining traction against the entrenched Republican and Democratic dominance.
