WASHINGTON: Tech billionaire Elon Musk has launched a new political party in the United States, calling it the America Party. The announcement was made on July 5 through his social media platform X, formerly Twitter. This move has attracted global attention, including in Pakistan, as it signals a major political shift in the US.
Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, was once a strong supporter of former US President Donald Trump. During the 2024 US elections, he donated more than $280 million to Trump and other Republican candidates, becoming the biggest individual donor of that election. He also served as a special advisor in a temporary government project focused on reducing expenses.
But recently, tensions grew between Musk and Trump. Musk strongly opposed Trump’s new law known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill”, which was signed on July 4. The bill includes changes to taxes and spending. Musk said it could increase the US national debt by $3.4 trillion over 10 years and called it harmful to the economy. He also criticized the removal of tax breaks for electric cars, which affects his business.
Trump responded with sharp criticism and even suggested ending government support for Musk’s companies. He also hinted at taking away Musk’s US citizenship, even though he is legally a naturalized citizen. Musk replied by saying both major US parties fail to represent ordinary people and announced his plan to form a new political party.
The America Party Plan
Before launching the party, Musk held an online poll asking if people supported a new party for voters who feel ignored by Democrats and Republicans. About 65% of the 1.2 million respondents said yes.
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Musk officially launched the America Party on July 5, saying it aims to restore people’s freedom and reduce wasteful government spending. He said the party will take part in the 2026 midterm elections, focusing on a few key seats in the Senate and House of Representatives to influence future laws. He also promised to support politicians who oppose Trump’s policies.
Major Challenges
Despite Musk’s large fortune (over $350 billion), creating a successful political party in the US is difficult. Experts point out several challenges:
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Legal Requirements: Each US state has strict rules for new parties, including collecting many signatures to appear on the ballot. The party is not yet officially registered.
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Funding Limits: US law limits how much money one person can donate to a political party, so Musk cannot fund everything alone.
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Public Support: The two-party system dominates US politics. New parties usually struggle to win because people are afraid their vote won’t matter.
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Musk’s Popularity: Recent surveys show his public image is weakening. Many independent voters see him unfavorably, and his support for controversial figures in Europe may further hurt his chances.
