Elon Musk announced the formation of his America Party on Saturday, just days after President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill passed Congress. The Tesla CEO, who has openly opposed this, previously discussed the idea of a third party to rival the Democrats and Republicans. He even called on his followers on X (formerly known as Twitter) to weigh in on whether a new political party should be created.
In his announcement, Musk stated, “By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!” He added, “Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”
Is Elon Musk Running for President?
While the idea of Musk running for president is intriguing, he is technically ineligible due to the U.S. Constitution (Article II, Section 1), which requires candidates to be natural-born citizens. Musk was born in South Africa and became a U.S. citizen in 2002. He acknowledged this limitation, noting in 2024, “I cannot be president because of my African birth.”
Who Is Funding the America Party?
As the world’s wealthiest individual, with a net worth of $405.2 billion according to Forbes, Musk is likely the primary funder of the America Party. His America PAC previously spent roughly $40.5 million on Trump’s campaign in 2024, and these funds could potentially be repurposed for his new party. However, specific funding figures for 2025 have yet to be confirmed.
Federal limits under the McCain-Feingold Act cap individual donations to political parties at $450,000, which may require Musk to recruit co-donors or utilize a super PAC for unlimited expenditures.
Other Leaders in the America Party?
Currently, no official leaders beyond Musk have been confirmed. However, social media speculation suggests that Rep. Thomas Massie, who recently defied party lines during the Big Beautiful Bill vote, could join forces with Musk. Andrew Yang, co-founder of the Forward Party, has expressed interest in collaborating with Musk, citing shared frustrations with the two-party system.
Upcoming Election Plans
After launching his America Party, Musk announced that the party will contest in the 2026 midterms. He explained his party’s ideology by referencing the Epaminondas vs. Spartans scenario, aiming to disrupt the current political landscape amid his feud with Trump over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“The way we’re going to crack the uniparty system is by using a variant of how Epaminondas shattered the myth of Spartan invincibility at Leuctra: Extremely concentrated force at a precise location on the battlefield,” Musk detailed in a post on X.
When asked about election plans, he replied, “Next year.” He further remarked, “The future strategy should certainly evolve, but it is worth noting that Thebes did actually dominate Greece for a decade following Leuctra.”
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s announcement of the America Party signifies a bold move in U.S. politics. As discussions around funding, leadership, and election strategy unfold, many are curious to see how this new party will impact the political landscape. With the first contests set for the 2026 midterms, the America Party aims to challenge the existing political system and provide an alternative for voters seeking change.
