Elon Musk, billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has officially launched the ‘America Party’, signaling a dramatic attempt to disrupt the long-standing two-party political system in the United States.

Announced via a post on X, the social media platform he owns, Musk declared, “When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

The timing of the announcement is strategic, with the new party expected to focus on contesting House and Senate races in the upcoming midterm elections. Musk emphasised a tactical approach, stating the America Party would apply “extremely concentrated force at a precise location on the battlefield” to flip key seats and influence legislation.

The move comes on the heels of Musk’s growing dissatisfaction with the Republican Party, particularly after a falling-out with President Donald Trump. Musk, who previously poured hundreds of millions into supporting Trump’s re-election campaign and led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during his administration, broke ranks following the passage of Trump’s controversial tax and spending package — a bill Musk vocally opposed.

He reignited the idea of a new political movement after Congress approved the legislation, which he criticised as fiscally reckless. On Friday, Musk polled his followers on X, asking if they wanted “independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system.” The poll drew over 1.2mn responses, with more than 60% expressing support for a new party.

Musk’s vast resources could give the America Party a unique edge. In the 2023–24 election cycle, he was the single largest political donor, contributing over $291 million to Republican candidates. He has also experimented with direct influence, providing million-dollar checks to voters in Wisconsin during a state’s Supreme Court race in April.

Even with all his money, history shows that funding alone isn’t enough to build a successful political party. Musk will still need to build a strong team, get on ballots across the country, and keep people interested. Still, his move brings a new and unpredictable twist to US politics.

–Agencies