After vowing to pull back from politics, Elon Musk has once again thrust himself into the center of a major political storm—this time over President Donald Trump’s sweeping domestic policy legislation.
As the Senate debated Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” on Monday, Musk took to his social media platform, X, to launch a blistering attack on lawmakers who supported the massive spending package.
“Every member of Congress who campaigned on cutting government spending and then voted for the largest debt increase in U.S. history should hang their head in shame! They will lose their primary next year—if it’s the last thing I do on this Earth,” Musk wrote.
He didn’t stop there. Just hours later, Musk escalated his rhetoric, announcing plans to launch a new political party.
“If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day,” he warned. “We need an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so the people actually have a VOICE.”
Trump Fires Back
Trump quickly responded with his own broadside, accusing Musk of hypocrisy and threatening to investigate his companies. In a late-night Truth Social post, Trump said Musk had received more subsidies “than any human in history.”
“Without subsidies, Elon would probably shut everything down and move back to South Africa,” Trump wrote. “No more rocket launches, satellites, or electric cars. Maybe it’s time for the Department of Government Efficiency—DOGE—to take a long, hard look at this. BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”
A Growing Rift
Musk’s comments mark his most aggressive political threats since stepping down as a White House adviser. Despite pledging to reduce his political involvement, Musk has continued to clash with Trump in public, especially over fiscal policy.
The feud reached a breaking point Monday when Musk reiterated his proposal to start a third party, calling the current political system the “Porky Pig Party.”
“With this bill adding FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS to the debt, it’s clear we’re living in a one-party country,” he posted.
Policy Divides
The bill in question is projected to add $3.3 trillion to the deficit over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office—more than the $2.4 trillion increase expected under the House version. Despite White House claims that it would spark economic growth and reduce deficits, critics like Musk see it as reckless overspending.
Musk has slammed the bill for undermining future-focused industries like electric vehicles and solar energy, while rewarding what he calls “industries of the past.” He’s insisted that his opposition isn’t driven by the bill’s scaling back of EV tax credits—but has also repeatedly criticized the cuts.
A Complicated History
Musk was a major political donor in 2024, contributing more than $275 million to support Trump and other Republicans. His political action committee, America PAC, last contributed in March to candidates in Florida special elections.
But the alliance has fractured. Trump has made clear his opposition to EV mandates, while Musk has long promoted clean energy and supported restrictive immigration policies aligned with the Trump administration.
“Elon knew I was against EV mandates long before he endorsed me,” Trump posted. “Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one.”
With the rift now public and escalating, Musk’s threat to create a new political party—and his vow to primary incumbent lawmakers—signals a major disruption on the right as Trump’s second term unfolds.
