Musk's America Party could split Republicans, fear Trump allies
On Saturday, the 54-year-old Tesla boss announced he was setting up the America Party after his social media followers backed the idea in an online poll.
Mr Musk, who until recently was a key Trump ally, said the party would adopt a 'laser focus' on winning a handful of Senate seats and House districts in a bid to sway key votes on legislation.
'Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people,' he posted on X.
On Sunday, Musk responded to a post about how he could 'break the two-party stranglehold' by writing: 'Not hard tbh [to be honest].'
Not hard tbh https://t.co/pQZXgsHQVy
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 6, 2025
Laura Loomer, a leading Maga influencer who is close to Mr Trump, warned the move could trigger Republican defections and split the party's base.
'I predict Tucker Carlson, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie will join the new 'America Party' to spite President Trump,' she posted on X.
Raheem Kassam, another prominent Maga supporter and former adviser to Nigel Farage, threatened to ditch Mr Musk's X platform if its algorithm skewed against Mr Trump.
'If Musk weaponizes X against Maga, I'm leaving this account as an automated news feed and shifting to TruthSocial tbh,' he wrote.
Mr Musk said his decision to form the party stemmed from opposition to Mr Trump's new economic Bill, which includes tax cuts for the wealthy, significant reductions to Medicaid and the removal of subsidies for electric vehicles.
The announcement follows the revival of his public feud with Mr Trump, who threatened to cancel the Tesla tycoon's government contracts and deport him back to South Africa.
'Elmo the Mook'
Steve Bannon, Mr Trump's former chief strategist, questioned whether Mr Musk could even form a new party, given he was born abroad, and also repeated calls for him to be deported.
'The foul, the buffoon. Elmo the Mook, formerly known as Elon Musk, Elmo the Mook. He's today, in another smear, and this –only a foreigner could do this – think about it, he's got up on, he's got up on Twitter right now, a poll about starting an America Party, a non-American starting an America Party,' Mr Bannon said on his War Room podcast.
He added: 'No, brother, you're not an American. You're a South African. We take enough time and prove the facts of that, you should be deported because it's a crime of what you did – among many.'
Third parties have typically underperformed in US elections due to the country's first-past-the-post system, which favours Democrats and Republicans. Previous third-party presidential candidates like Ross Perot and Ralph Nader made headlines but little headway.
But Mr Musk hopes that by securing a small number of Senate and House seats in next year's midterms, the America Party could act as kingmaker on tight legislative votes.
Third party 'a mistake'
Both main parties have struggled in recent years to push through laws because of internal dissent. This week, Mr Trump's 'big, beautiful Bill' met resistance from within, with Mr Massie and Brian Fitzpatrick voting against it in the House, before it eventually passed.
Democrats have faced similar challenges, notably when Senator Joe Manchin blocked key parts of Joe Biden's climate legislation in 2022.
Political strategists suggest Mr Musk's party could most damage Republicans.
Dafydd Townley, a US politics expert, told Newsweek: 'Third parties do not tend to have a long lifetime in American politics.'
He added that the America Party 'would likely split the Republican vote, potentially resulting in a Democrat-dominated House of Representatives, at least in the short term, due to the winner-takes-all electoral system'.
Mr Musk's move has also attracted attention from existing third parties. Steven Nekhaila, chairman of the Libertarian National Committee, urged Musk to join their party instead.
'Making a new third party would be a mistake,' he told Politico. 'The Libertarian Party is the most set-up party to be the dissident subversive party.'
Anthony Scaramucci, Mr Trump's former communications chief but now a vocal critic of the president, said he wanted to meet Mr Musk to discuss the new venture.
The unveiling of the America Party has damaged Tesla, which has suffered in the stock market ever since Mr Musk entered the political fray and backed Mr Trump's re-election bid with hundreds of millions of dollars in support.
Azoria Partner, an investment firm, said it would postpone plans to invest in Tesla and encouraged its board to rein in Mr Musk.
'I encourage the board to meet immediately and ask Elon to clarify his political ambitions and evaluate whether they are compatible with his full-time obligations to Tesla as CEO,' James Fishback, Azoria's chief executive, said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
27 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Crew members set to abandon ship after Red Sea attack
The attack marks the first serious assault in the vital corridor for trade after a months-long campaign by Yemen's Houthi rebels there. Suspicion for the attack immediately fell on the Houthis, particularly as a security firm said it appeared bomb-carrying drone boats hit the ship after it was targeted by small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. The rebels' media reported on the attack but did not claim it. It can take them hours or even days before they acknowledge an assault. A renewed Houthi campaign against shipping could again draw in US and Western forces to the area, particularly after President Donald Trump targeted the rebels in a major air strike campaign. And it comes at a sensitive moment in the Middle East, as a possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war hangs in the balance and as Iran weighs whether to restart negotiations over its nuclear programme following US air strikes targeting its most-sensitive atomic sites amid an Israeli war against the Islamic Republic. 'It likely serves as a message that the Houthis continue to possess the capability and willingness to strike at strategic maritime targets regardless of diplomatic developments,' wrote Mohammad al-Basha, a Yemen analyst at the Basha Report risk advisory firm. The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre first said that an armed security team on the unidentified vessel had returned fire against an initial attack and that the 'situation is ongoing'. It described the attack as happening 60 miles south west of Hodeida, Yemen, which is held by the country's Houthi rebels. 'Authorities are investigating,' it said, later adding that the ship was on fire after being 'struck by unknown projectiles'. Ambrey, a private maritime security firm, issued an alert saying that a merchant ship had been 'attacked by eight skiffs while transiting northbound in the Red Sea'. Ambrey later said the ship also had been attacked by bomb-carrying drone boats, which could mark a major escalation. It said two drone boats struck the ship while another two had been destroyed by the armed guards on board. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said the ship was taking on water and its crew were abandoning the vessel. Authorities did not identify the vessel for hours. However, the description of the vessel targeted matched against the Liberian-flagged bulk tanker Magic Seas, which had been broadcasting it had an armed security team on board in the vicinity the attack took place and had been heading north. The Houthi rebels have been launching missile and drone attacks against commercial and military ships in the region in what the group's leadership has described as an effort to end Israel's offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The group's al-Masirah satellite news channel acknowledged the attack occurred, but offered no other comment on it as it aired a speech by its secretive leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi. However, Ambrey said the vessel targeted met 'the established Houthi target profile'. Between November 2023 and January 2025, the Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two of them and killing four sailors. That has greatly reduced the flow of trade through the Red Sea corridor, which typically sees 1 trillion dollars of goods move through it annually.
Auto Blog
27 minutes ago
- Auto Blog
Urban Automotive Opens U.S. HQ in Phoenix to Serve Luxury Tuning Market
Urban Automotive, the British luxury car modifier best known for its carbon-fiber styling kits and 'OEM+' design philosophy, has officially launched operations in the United States. As of July 2, 2025, the company has opened a dedicated North and South America division, anchored by a newly established warehouse and distribution facility in Phoenix, Arizona. This marks a significant step in Urban's global expansion strategy, moving away from its former U.S. distribution setup — which was previously handled through a partnership with Milltek Corp in Tennessee — toward a more hands-on, directly managed presence. The move is being supported by Urban's parent company, The AM Group, and executed as a joint venture with Daniel Weber, who will oversee operations stateside. Source: Newspress USA A Benchmark Brand, Now On U.S. Soil Since its founding in 2014, Urban Automotive has carved out a unique position in the UK aftermarket scene, offering luxury body kits and carbon-fiber parts for high-end models including Range Rover, Defender, Bentley, Mercedes-AMG, and Lamborghini. The company's 'OEM+' approach focuses on factory-grade fit and finish, often making their builds indistinguishable from manufacturer-grade special editions — only more aggressive, more exclusive, and more bespoke. Now, with the Phoenix facility online, Urban says it can significantly reduce delivery times, improve customer service, and grow its dealer and builder network across the Americas. The Arizona site will act as both a logistics and support hub, enabling faster fulfilment and a more tailored client experience. 'There's nothing like Urban in the U.S. market,' said Daniel Weber. 'We're not trying to replicate existing brands — this is European refinement, obsessively crafted for a different kind of client.' Urban Director Luis Carrera added: 'The U.S. has always led the way in turning lifestyle into culture. That's where Urban fits in — British design, European refinement, now with boots on the ground.' Source: Newspress USA Building Momentum Urban's growth has been fast and deliberate. In 2023 alone, the company reported a 173% year-over-year increase in overseas sales, reaching over £3.8 million in exports across 23 countries. It has also expanded R&D and production capacity in the UK, recently acquiring a 42,000+ sq ft facility in Milton Keynes to support rising demand. The Phoenix hub gives Urban a strategic foothold near key West Coast markets while also tapping into the city's fast-growing status as a premium automotive centre. With companies like Lucid Motors and major EV tech suppliers operating nearby, Phoenix has become a key location for vehicle development and aftermarket innovation. Source: Newspress USA What This Means For U.S. Buyers For American buyers, Urban's arrival means quicker access to bespoke body kits, faster delivery times, and a more direct support system. It also puts the British brand into clearer competition with U.S.-based tuning companies — many of which focus on performance rather than design — allowing Urban to stand out with its tailored aesthetic and luxury materials. Urban Automotive has already built a presence at U.S. events like SEMA, and its custom builds — including celebrity-owned Range Rovers and Defenders — have helped the brand gain traction in the American aftermarket. With the Phoenix expansion now live, Urban says it plans to roll out more regional partnerships and exclusive builds throughout 2025. This isn't just a logistics play — it's a long-term move to embed Urban's identity into the North American luxury and customization scene. About the Author Max Taylor View Profile
Daily Mail
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Scott Bessent takes vicious jab at Elon Musk after their West Wing punch-up
Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent landed a fresh attack on the President's former 'First Buddy' Elon Musk in the latest flare up in the duo's feud. During an appearance on CNN 's State of the Union Sunday Bessent told SOTU anchor, Dana Bash that the 'America Party' - the political party Musk registered with the Federal Election Commission Sunday wasn't of concern to the White House. Bash kicked off the exchange, noting that 'it's not a big secret that you had your differences with Elon Musk when he was working in the administration. He announced this weekend that he is starting a new political party.' 'Does that worry the Trump administration' Bash asked Bessent. Bessent replied, first acknowledging that 'the principles of DOGE were very popular,' referring to the Department of Government Efficiency which Musk foremrely led for the Trump Administration. 'I think, if you looked at the polling, Elon was not,' Bessent added. 'So, I believe that the boards of directors at his various companies wanted him to come back and run those companies, which he is better at than anyone,' Bessent continued. Bessent then further expended on the idea that Musk is better served concentrating his efforts in the business world, adding 'I imagine that those board of directors did not like this announcement yesterday and will be encouraging him to focus on his business activities, not his political activities.' Musk's interference in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race earlier in 2025 is one example of an instance where his involvement appears to have negatively impacted the conservative candidate in the race. Several weeks ago on Capitol Hill, Bessent came clean after weeks of speculation that he was the one responsible for the black-eye Musk was seen sporting during his last event as a member of the Trump administration. Bessent faced an unusual line of questioning when he testified on Capitol Hill during a hearing on his department's budget before the Ways and Means Committee back in June. Bessent was grilled about whether he really tackled Elon Musk in the White House last month. 'Mr. Secretary, how are you doing?' Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) said innocuously. 'So far, so good,' Bessent quipped back. 'Okay. I was just curious because I know Elon Musk body checked you at the White House. No animosity to Elon Musk, right?' Gomez continued. 'You know that?' Bessent asked about the sparring event. 'That's what I heard,' Gomez responded. Bessent had been partaking in three days of trade negotiations in London and had not yet been questioned about the story. 'So you believe, you believe what you read on Breitbart is what you are telling us, Congressman,' Bessent pressed. 'I didn't know ... If it's too sensitive for you I won't ask that question, but let me move' Gomez flubbed. 'I will take South Carolina over South Africa any day', Bessent replied, referring to his home state versus Musk's nation of birth. Musk was spotted with a black eye as he delivered a sort of farewell address in the Oval Office upon departing from his role as a 'special government employee' heading up Trump's Department of Government Efficiency DOGE). At the time, Musk claimed that the black eye was the result of roughhousing with his young son, X í¿ A-12, who is more commonly know as X. But speculation grew as more was revealed about his tense standoff with Bessent. Former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon told in May that Musk's turbulent time in the White House was marred when he was confronted over wild promises to save the administration 'a trillion dollars'. That's when an irate Musk physically 'shoved' 62-year-old Bessent. 'Scott Bessent called him out and said, "You promised us a trillion dollars (in cuts), and now you're at like $100 billion, and nobody can find anything, what are you doing?"' Bannon revealed. And that's when Elon got physical. It's a sore subject with him. 'It wasn't an argument, it was a physical confrontation. Elon basically shoved him.' Bannon said the physical altercation came as the two billionaires moved from the Oval Office to outside Chief of Staff Susie Wiles' office, and then outside the office of the then National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz.
