Just days after Congress passed President Donald Trump’s sweeping “Big Beautiful Bill,” Elon Musk announced the official launch of his long-teased political venture: the America Party.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who has been openly critical of the legislation, had previously floated the idea of forming a third party to challenge both Democrats and Republicans. On Saturday, he made it official with a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party—and you shall have it! Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”
The announcement follows a poll Musk conducted on the platform earlier in the week, where a strong majority of over 1.2 million respondents supported the creation of a new political party. The move has sparked widespread speculation about Musk’s political ambitions and the future of his new party.
Can Elon Musk Run for President?
Despite his growing political influence, Musk cannot legally run for U.S. president. According to Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, only natural-born citizens are eligible to hold the office. Musk, born in South Africa and naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2002, confirmed in 2024:
“I cannot be president because of my African birth.”
Who Is Funding the America Party?
While official financial disclosures have not yet been released, Musk is widely expected to be the primary funder. With an estimated net worth of $405.2 billion (according to Forbes), he previously spent around $40.5 million in 2024 via his America PAC to support Trump’s campaign—despite now publicly breaking with the former president.
It remains unclear whether the same PAC will fund the new party, but under current campaign finance law (specifically the McCain-Feingold Act), individuals can contribute up to $450,000 annually to a political party. To exceed those limits, Musk would need to rely on super PACs or other large donors for broader support.
Who Else Is Involved?
No formal leadership beyond Musk has been confirmed, though speculation is growing online. Some supporters on social media have floated names like Rep. Thomas Massie, who recently broke ranks on the Big Beautiful Bill vote, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, although no credible reports support his involvement.
Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, who co-founded the Forward Party, has also expressed openness to working with Musk, citing their mutual frustration with the entrenched two-party system.
For now, the America Party remains in its early stages, with no clear policy platform or organizational structure announced. Still, Musk’s foray into political organizing signals a deeper shift in the U.S. political landscape—and perhaps a growing appetite among voters for alternatives beyond red and blue.
