Trump Criticizes Musk for His Political Aspirations

US President Donald Trump has criticized his former budget-cutting chief, Elon Musk, after the world’s richest individual announced he is creating a political party to contest the US two-party framework.

“I am disheartened to see Elon Musk completely go ‘off the rails,’ effectively becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the last five weeks,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, mere hours after Musk proclaimed he had established the “America Party.”

“He even aspires to initiate a Third Political Party, despite the reality that they have never triumphed in the United States — The System seems not tailored for them,” he continued.

Musk’s newly formed party poses a risk of splitting the Republican vote as he has threatened to target significant seats ahead of the midterm elections next year, which would include aiming to remove certain Republicans.

Nonetheless, while third parties — other than the Democratic and Republican factions — have experienced some achievements in electing state and local officials, a third party hasn’t won a presidential election since the Republican Party emerged as a major contender in 1856.

Musk announced on his X platform on Sunday that he was establishing the “America Party.” He had pledged to create it if Congress approved Trump’s extensive tax and spending bill, which it did on Thursday.

Numerous political entities referencing the America Party, DOGE, or X were filed with the Federal Election Commission following Musk’s post, which identified him as affiliated with the entity. Musk acknowledged that at least one of the filings was fraudulent, while several on social media have raised questions about the authenticity of others.

Trump and Musk dispute over “big beautiful bill”

Musk has criticized the fiscal provisions in the Republican-endorsed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, calling it a “repulsive monstrosity,” as it is projected to contribute $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the coming decade.

Prior to the bill’s passage, Musk warned that he would seek to unseat any legislators who backed the bill, declaring they would “lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”

This marks the latest chapter in the public disagreement between Musk and Trump that began in late May, just before Musk concluded 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 asserted that the bill undermines DOGE’s efforts to reduce government expenditure.

Trump supporters concern over Musk’s party potentially fracturing GOP

Trump’s most ardent supporters appear apprehensive that Musk’s America Party could disrupt the Republican vote in the upcoming midterm elections, jeopardizing the party’s slim majority in Congress.

Third parties seldom endanger the Republicans and Democrats, but Musk possesses the financial resources to potentially sway next year’s elections if he acts on his strategy.

The US employs a first-past-the-post election method, meaning the candidate with the highest number of first-preference votes wins even if they don’t secure a majority of the votes.

Some of Trump’s staunchest backers are seemingly worried that the America Party could attract potential Republican voters, dividing the party’s foundation and endangering the GOP’s majority or enabling Democratic candidates to win.

Related: Bitcoin to gain from Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ analysts foresee 

Laura Loomer, a far-right figure allied with Trump, stated on X that prominent Republicans, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie, could switch allegiance to Musk’s new party.

Musk to “laser-focus” on essential Congressional seats

Musk remarked on X on Friday that his party intends to concentrate on securing a few critical House and Senate seats, which he believes would suffice to obstruct Republican or Democratic initiatives.

“One strategy to accomplish this would be to laser-focus on merely 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts.”

“Given the extremely narrow legislative margins, that would be adequate to function as the decisive vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they reflect the true will of the populace,” he added.

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