President Donald J. Trump torched Elon Musk’s new “America Party” over the weekend, calling the billionaire’s third-party push “ridiculous” and accusing his former close ally of going “completely off the rails.”
“Third parties have never worked. He can have fun with it, but I think it’s ridiculous,” Trump told reporters Sunday as he departed Bedminster for the White House.
The America Party, officially filed with the FEC this weekend, is Musk’s retaliation against Trump for signing the “Big, Beautiful Bill” — a landmark $3.3 trillion America First package that stripped EV subsidies and put taxpayers, not Tesla, first.
Trump: Musk Knew I Was Killing EV Mandates
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump reminded supporters that Musk had endorsed him without hesitation, despite knowing full well that he intended to eliminate the federal EV mandates Musk’s companies rely on.
“When Elon gave me his total and unquestioned endorsement, I asked him whether or not he knew that I was going to terminate the EV Mandate… He said he had no problems with that — I was very surprised!” Trump wrote.
Now that the EV gravy train has ended, Musk appears to be lashing out politically, dumping money into a longshot third-party effort and turning against the very movement he once backed with $300 million in donations.
Musk: “Fear Is the Mind-Killer”
In response to Trump’s statement, Musk took to X with a flurry of cryptic and hostile posts, quoting Dune and accusing the GOP of becoming part of the “uniparty.”
“Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration,” Musk wrote, in what appeared to be a veiled swipe at Trump.
Musk also blasted Republicans for increasing the national debt under full control of Washington.
“The Republican Party has a clean sweep… and STILL had the nerve to massively increase the size of government,” he wrote.“$5 trillion in new debt. Unacceptable.”
Musk went on to say the new America Party would target key House and Senate seats with “extremely concentrated force”, using tactics he compared to ancient warfare.
Trump Allies: Third Party Is a “Gift to the Left”
Despite Musk’s money, critics across the America First movement warned that a third party effort will only splinter the right, handing more power to Democrats and globalists.
“This is exactly what the Left wants,” said one Trump campaign adviser.“He’ll siphon off votes in swing districts and make it harder for conservatives to hold power.”
Even Trump himself addressed the futility of the move:
“It’s always been a two-party system… starting a third party just adds to confusion.”
Musk vs. Trump: From Lincoln Bedroom to Political War
Musk and Trump’s relationship has gone from Lincoln Bedroom invitations to open warfare.
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Musk helped fund Trump’s 2024 victory
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He worked inside the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce federal waste
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But he turned hostile during debate over the Big Beautiful Bill, furious over the elimination of green energy carve-outs
At one point, Trump even threatened to deport Musk if he continued to meddle in U.S. elections — a jab at the fact that Musk is a naturalized citizen, not American-born.
The Stakes Are High in 2026
Musk’s third party may gain attention, but its practical impact could be devastating for conservatives.
With Republicans holding a razor-thin 53–47 edge in the Senate and 220–212 advantage in the House, even a handful of Musk-backed spoiler candidates could flip control.
“This is how we lose the country,” said one GOP strategist.
