Trump says Musk ‘off the rails’ for forming political party to rival GOP

US President Donald Trump has lashed out at his former cost-cutting czar, Elon Musk, after the world’s wealthiest man said he is launching a political party to challenge the US two-party system

“I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, hours after Musk declared he had formed the “America Party.”

“He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States — The System seems not designed for them,” he added.

Musk’s new party threatens to fracture the Republican vote as he has threatened to target key seats leading up to the midterm elections next year, which would include aiming to unseat some Republicans.

However, while third parties — those other than the Democratic and Republican parties — have seen some success at electing state and local officials, a third party hasn’t won a presidential election since the Republican Party became a major party in 1856.

Musk posted to his X platform on Sunday that he was forming the “America Party.” He had promised to create it if Congress passed Trump’s massive tax and spending bill, which it did on Thursday.

Source: Elon MuskMultiple political parties referencing the America Party, DOGE, or X were filed with the Federal Election Commission after Musk’s post, which listed him as affiliated with the entity. Musk confirmed that at least one of the filings was fake, while some on social media have questioned the legitimacy of others.

Trump and Musk feud over “big beautiful bill”

Musk has taken issue with the spending allowance in the Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, calling it a “disgusting abomination,” as it’s estimated to add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.

Before the bill passed, Musk threatened that he’d look to unseat any lawmakers who supported the bill, saying they would “lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”

It’s the latest in the public spat between Musk and Trump that started in late May, just before Musk finished up his special government employee role at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, named in homage to the cryptocurrency Dogecoin (DOGE).

Musk has claimed the bill undermines DOGE’s work to cut government spending.

Trump faithful fears Musk’s party could fracture GOP

Trump’s biggest backers are seemingly worried that Musk’s America Party could cause the Republican vote to splinter in the midterm elections next year, risking the party’s thin majority in Congress.

Third parties rarely threaten the Republicans and Democrats, but Musk has the money to potentially influence next year’s elections if he follows through with his plan.

The US has a first-past-the-post election system, meaning the candidate with the most first-preference votes wins even if they don’t get a majority of the votes.

Some of Trump’s most loyal backers are seemingly concerned that the America Party could win over would-be Republican voters, splitting the party’s base and risking the GOP’s majority or allowing Democrat candidates to win.

Related: Bitcoin to benefit from Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ analysts predict

Laura Loomer, a far-right influencer close to Trump, said on X that high-profile Republicans, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie, could defect to Musk’s new party.

Musk to “laser-focus” on key Congressional seats

Musk posted to X on Friday that his party planned to focus on winning a few key House and Senate seats, which he claimed would be enough to block Republican or Democratic agendas.

“One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts.”

“Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people,” he added.

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