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The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Herald Scotland
Why Elon Musk's new national party is easier said than done
Fueled by his distaste of President Donald Trump's debt-exploding "Big Beautiful Bill," Musk on July 5 announced the formation of "the American Party" - a movement he said will "fight the Republican/Democrat Uniparty." He argued that "when it comes to bankrupting our country" both Democrats and Republicans are the same. More: Elon Musk announces new 'America' party after slamming Trump's megabill Proclaiming the existence of a political party doesn't make it one, however. Besides the technical hurdles to place congressional and presidential candidates on ballots in states, the 54-year-old Tesla and SpaceX CEO would need to overcome a long history of third-party failures in the United States and his own weak political standing. Only 36% of voters nationally had a favorable opinion of Musk in a June Reuters/Ipsos poll. "If the goal is to actually to win seats or even a few seats - which seems to be what he's talking about right now - it's probably an insurmountable thing," said Bernard Tamas, a political science professor at Valdosta State University and author of "The Demise and Rebirth of American Third Parties." More: 'Train wreck': Trump slams Musk after billionaire announces new political party The to-do list for Musk Musk, a former top White House adviser who's turned into a fierce Trump foe, must first check off some logistical boxes to make the American Party a reality. That begins with filing the new party with the Federal Election Commission to raise or spend money, which he's not done. The FEC wouldn't be able to take immediate action to formalize the party because it lacks a quorum on the six-member panel after Trump has failed to nominate individuals for three vacancies. Musk has suggested he would focus on fielding American Party candidates in two or three 2026 Senate races and eight to 10 House races. But for them to gain ballot access in the states he targets, the party would need to meet required petition thresholds, which can number tens of thousands of signatures of registered voters depending on the state. Those efforts could face legal challenges if one of the two major parties views the third-party challengers as threats to peel off votes, election experts says. Meanwhile, building party infrastructure from scratch to match the well-financed Democratic and Republican machines would be no easy task - although Musk's billions in personal wealth could certainly help on that end. 'This never goes anywhere' Whether Musk has the political clout to fuel a third-party movement that takes off is perhaps the biggest question mark. Despite his vocal opposition over rising debt from Trump's megabill, Musk failed to convert any Republican members of Congress to his side to vote against the bill, which passed Congress with widespread Republican support. The three Republican senators and two GOP members who voted against the legislation weren't Musk's doing. Many Republican members of Congress told USA TODAY that they were turned off by Musk's scorched-earth attacks. Musk famously flopped when he inserted himself and millions of his dollars into Wisconsin's special election for a state Supreme Court seat in April. The Republican candidate lost by about 10 percentage points despite Musk declaring "the future of America and Western Civilization" at stake. More: President Trump says he'll 'have to take a look' at deporting Elon Musk as feud reignites Musk lacks a clear political following. And recruiting viable candidates might be a challenge. Already despised by many on the left, Musk has now turned off much of Trump's MAGA's base amid his public feud with Trump since departing the White House as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. "I'm skeptical that he has the following to do it. I'm also skeptical he has the strategy to do it either," Tamas said, adding that an even "bigger problem" is that Musk lacks a coherent message. "You have to tap into people's anger. It's not enough to say, 'We're not the Democrats or the Republicans. Let's all get along and talk.' This never goes anywhere." "It's good that he has the money," Tamas added, "but other than that, I'm not sure what he brings to the table." USA Today's efforts to reach Musk to respond to the skepticism on his third-party aspirations were unsuccessful. Third-party polling hasn't translated to elections Polling has long suggested Americans support the concept of a strong third party in the United States. A Gallup poll conducted in October 2024 found 58% of Americans, including 69% of self-described independent voters, said Democrats and Republicans "do such a poor job" that a third party is needed. Although down from a record-high 63% of Americans in 2023, it marked the 12th straight year of a majority reading on that question. Similarly, USA TODAY/Suffolk University polls conducted over the past decade have found increasing support for third parties from Americans who say they don't typically vote in elections: 53% of these voters in 2012 said a third parry is necessary; 57% said the same in in 2018; and 64% in 2023. More: Elon Musk announces 'America Party': What to know about third parties in the U.S. Even so, third parties have failed to gain traction electorally, both in Congress and in presidential elections. When it comes to voting - not responding to general questions in a poll - entrenched loyalties to the two dominant parties have proven too strong. "The trend has been there for quite some time, but the implementation has not," David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, said of the disconnect between support for the concept of third parties versus election results. Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine are both independents but caucus with Democrats. Other third parties in the United States, including the Libertarian Party and the Green Party, have not won any congressional seats. The last third-party presidential candidate to mount a serious threat for the White House was Ross Perot, who in 1992 won 19% of the popular votes but carried no states in the all-important Electoral College as an independent running on a "Reform Party" platform. More recently, consumer activist Ralph Nader finished with 2.7% of the popular vote in the 2000 election. Rather than putting states in play, Democrats remember him for the 97,488 votes he won in Florida, which they argue helped swing the election-deciding state from Al Gore to George W. Bush. Even the early 20th-century Progressive Party - typically regarded as the most successful third-party in United States history - was more impactful pushing Progressive-era reforms tackling business monopolies and improving worker rights than winning elections. After serving as the Republican president from 1901 to 1909, Theodore Roosevelt formed the Progressive Party, or "Bull Moose Party," in 1912 when he failed to win the Republican nomination for a third term. His candidacy syphoned Republican voters from the party's nominee, William Howard Taft, in the general election won by Democrat Woodrow Wilson. The former president's new political party dissolved in 1920. Trump brushes off threat from Musk's party Trump over the weekend lashed out at Musk over his third-party plans, saying in a Truth Social post that his former sidekick has gone "completely off the rails" and noting third parties have "never succeeded in the United States." He later brushed off any political challenges the American Party could pose when asked by a reporter on July 8 whether he's concern about Musk's effort. "I think it will help us. It will probably help, Trump told reporters during a July 8 Cabinet meeting. "Third parties have always been good for me. I don't know about Republicans, but for me." Trump appeared to be referencing the 2024 independent presidential runs of liberal academic Cornel West and the Green Party's Jill Stein, who Trump allies worked to boost in battleground states to peel off votes from Democrats. Musk's party, however, would seemingly be better positioned to appeal to Republican voters than Democrats. More: 'It will help us': Trump says he's not worried about Elon Musk's new political party A former senior Trump campaign official told USA TODAY that Musk's third-party threat is not on the radar within Trump's orbit, downplaying the tech entrepreneur's push as the stuff of online chatter that isn't being discussed in the real world. Still, Musk's third-party pledge has irked some Musk adversaries in Trump world. Steve Bannon, Trump's former chief strategist, sounded off on Musk's announcement on his "War Room" podcast, calling Musk a "buffoon" and "Elmo the Mook." "Only a foreigner could do this - think about it," Bannon said, referring to Musk being born in South Africa. "A non-American starting an America Party." Musk became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2002 after previously gaining Canadian citizenship through his mother. Not long ago, Musk in 2018 described himself as "independent and politically moderate" before he started to embrace Trump and the MAGA movement during the 2024 campaign, pumping more than $290 million in the election to boost the Republican presidential nominee and Republican candidates for Congress. For all the skepticism on his third-party hopes, Musk might have one other thing going for him besides his deep pockets as he tries to pull of a third-party breakthrough: a thirst to disrupt. More: Elon Musk vows to defeat Republicans who vote for Donald Trump's mega bill Musk has upended traditional norms of the business world. He swiftly fired top executives and thousands of employees when he bought Twitter. He took a sledgehammer to the federal government during his four-month stint DOGE. He now seems willing to take down the same Republican Party he supported in the 2024 election. Paleologos called Musk a "disrupter at his core." "Musk thrives on being doubted," he said. "And this is the ultimate overcoming massive doubt that you can have." Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'It will help us': Trump says he's not worried about Elon Musk's new political party
WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump says he's not worried about the political ramifications of Elon Musk's pledge to create a new political party ‒ noting that third parties have boosted him in past elections. "I think it will help us," Trump told reporters during a July 8 Cabinet meeting. "It will probably help. Third parties have always been good for me. I don't know about Republicans, but for me." Musk announced the formation of "the American Party" on July 5 after his vocal opposition to Trump's so-called "big, beautiful bill" over debt concerns didn't sway any Republican lawmakers to vote against the bill. Musk, a former White House adviser who has turned into a top Trump foe, said the new party will 'fight the Republican/Democrat Uniparty," arguing that "when it comes to bankrupting our country" both Democrats and Republicans are the same. In the 2024 presidential election, Trump allies worked to boost third party candidates Jill Stein of the Green Party, Cornel West and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (before Kennedy bowed out to endorse Trump) to peel off votes from Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. More: 'Train wreck': Trump slams Musk after billionaire announces new political party It's unclear how far Musk is willing to go to mount a third party that can be viable in future elections. Although he's the word's richest man, Musk would face a labyrinth of different qualifying rules to field candidates in all 50 states during the 2026 congressional midterm elections. And Musk ‒ despised by many on the left and now seemingly a Trump foe ‒ would need to recruit candidates to a party that lacks a clear agenda. Other recent third parties in the United States, including the Libertarian Party and the Green Party, have not won any congressional seats. The last third-party presidential candidate to mount a serious threat for the White House was Ross Perot, who in 1992 won 19% of the popular votes but carried no states as an independent. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump says he's not worried about Elon Musk's third party
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
What is Elon Musk's America Party? And how to start your own political party in Ohio
Following the passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," billionaire Elon Musk announced on July 5 that he's launching a new political party called the "America Party." Musk, who has been vocal about his opposition to the recent mega bill, polled X users on whether he should create the America Party, which received over 1.2 million responses. "By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!" Musk wrote on X. In response, President Trump criticized both Musk and the third party, writing on social media that the world's richest man and former DOGE leader had gone "off the rails,' and had become a "train wreck over the past five weeks." Trump went on to say that "The one thing Third Parties are good for is the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS." The U.S. has long been considered a two-party system of Democrats and Republicans. But how easy is it to form a separate one? Can anyone form a political party? Here's what to takes to start your own in Ohio. Founded by Elon Musk, the America Party critiques both the Republican and Democratic parties. "The America Party is needed to fight the Republican/Democrat Uniparty," Musk wrote in a separate X post. According to Reuters, the new party carries a tech focus, while being "budget-conscious, pro-energy and centrist." "When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy," Musk wrote on X, his social media platform. "Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom." Musk has strongly opposed Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," which includes tax cuts, increased spending on immigration enforcement and military, and deep funding cuts to Medicaid, according to USA TODAY. The bill increases the debt ceiling by $5 trillion. Starting a political party can be an uphill and expensive challenge, though not impossible. At the state level, there are two major political parties: Republican and Democratic. Other political parties would fall under the minor political party, according to the Ohio Secretary of State. There is a formal process to petition your party. Paperwork for a "petition to form a minor political party" should be submitted to the Ohio Secretary of State. According to the state office, you must gather signatures from qualified electors equal to at least one percent of the total votes cast for governor or presidential electors in the most recent election for that office. (The 2022 Ohio gubernatorial election saw 4,201,368 voters cast ballots.) Additionally, the petition must have "at least 500 qualified electors from each of at least a minimum of one-half of the congressional districts (CD) in the state." According to the Ohio House of Representatives, time is also of the essence, and you must petition your political party to the Secretary of State at least 125 days before the general election. The House adds that to maintain your party's status for future elections, "a party's candidate for governor or president must receive at least 3 percent of the total vote cast in the most recent election." Ohio's petition process also includes designating a committee of three to five people to represent the petitioners, and naming your prospective political party which must be different from an existing party name. If successful, the Secretary of State notes that the new political party comes into legal existence and can nominate candidates to appear on the ballot at the general election. On the federal level, starting a political party typically requires forming a committee, lots of fundraising, gathering widespread support and registering with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). According to the FEC, this includes getting a tax ID and bank account, appointing a treasurer, and following specific criteria set by the agency. Several newly formed political entities referencing America Party, Musk or one of his businesses appeared in the FEC database in the wake of the billionaire's declaration, according to PBS reporting. However, email addresses and addresses listed in the filings indicate that those are false and not actually affiliated with Musk. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Elon Musk announces America Party. How to create a political party in Ohio
USA Today
6 days ago
- Automotive
- USA Today
'It will help us': Trump says he's not worried about Elon Musk's new political party
WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump says he's not worried about the political ramifications of Elon Musk's pledge to create a new political party ‒ noting that third parties have boosted him in past elections. "I think it will help us," Trump told reporters during a July 8 Cabinet meeting. "It will probably help. Third parties have always been good for me. I don't know about Republicans, but for me." Musk announced the formation of "the American Party" on July 5 after his vocal opposition to Trump's so-called "big, beautiful bill" over debt concerns didn't sway any Republican lawmakers to vote against the bill. Musk, a former White House adviser who has turned into a top Trump foe, said the new party will 'fight the Republican/Democrat Uniparty," arguing that "when it comes to bankrupting our country" both Democrats and Republicans are the same. In the 2024 presidential election, Trump allies worked to boost third party candidates Jill Stein of the Green Party, Cornel West and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (before Kennedy bowed out to endorse Trump) to peel off votes from Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. More: 'Train wreck': Trump slams Musk after billionaire announces new political party It's unclear how far Musk is willing to go to mount a third party that can be viable in future elections. Although he's the word's richest man, Musk would face a labyrinth of different qualifying rules to field candidates in all 50 states during the 2026 congressional midterm elections. And Musk ‒ despised by many on the left and now seemingly a Trump foe ‒ would need to recruit candidates to a party that lacks a clear agenda. Other recent third parties in the United States, including the Libertarian Party and the Green Party, have not won any congressional seats. The last third-party presidential candidate to mount a serious threat for the White House was Ross Perot, who in 1992 won 19% of the popular votes but carried no states as an independent. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
NBC News
07-07-2025
- Business
- NBC News
The potential impact of Elon Musk's third-party threat: From the Politics Desk
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team's latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In today's edition, Sahil Kapur breaks down the effect Elon Musk could have if he follows through with creating a third party. Plus, Scott Wong sits down with GOP Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska for an exit interview. — Adam Wollner The potential impact of Elon Musk's third-party threat Elon Musk has vowed to create the 'America Party,' which he says will 'fight the Republican/Democrat Uniparty' and be serious about reducing the national debt. Musk's breaking point from the GOP: passage of President Donald Trump's megabill, which is projected to increase the national debt by $3.3 trillion over the next 10 years. Even if Musk files the paperwork to create the party, enormous hurdles loom. Gaining ballot access would be difficult in many states. Drawing in supporters would be daunting. And more broadly, breaking the two-party stranglehold on U.S. politics is easier said than done — as previous flirtations by groups like No Labels and national candidates like Michael Bloomberg taught them before they abandoned the pursuit. But assuming for a moment that the world's richest man marshals his resources to create the new party, what impact could it have? Recent national polls offer a clue about who is more likely to be attracted to it: Republican voters. A Quinnipiac University national poll last month tested Musk's popularity: It found that he's viewed favorably by 62% of Republican voters but just 3% of Democratic voters. And in battleground Wisconsin, a recent Marquette University Law School poll found that three-quarters of Republicans have favorable opinions of him, compared with 1% of Democrats. That suggests Musk has so thoroughly alienated Democrats that there's little risk of their getting interested in his third party. But among Republicans? That's a very different story. Both polls also found that Musk is considerably stronger with men than women, and the Wisconsin poll found that he's more appealing to voters with incomes above $75,000 than those who make less. So against the backdrop of a Musk-led party's playing 'spoiler' in a way that hurts Republicans, it's no surprise Trump is unloading on him. 'I think it's ridiculous to start a third party,' Trump told reporters Sunday. 'We have a tremendous success with the Republican Party. The Democrats have lost their way, but it's always been a two-party system. And I think starting a third party just adds to confusion.' Don Bacon is done with Congress — but not necessarily with politics As the 'big, beautiful bill' was making its way to President Donald Trump's desk last week, Scott Wong sat down with Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, one of three Republicans to represent districts Kamala Harris carried last year. Bacon said he didn't have the 'hunger' to seek a sixth term for his battleground House seat next year. But as he prepares to say goodbye to Congress, he made it clear he wasn't quite ready to be completely done with politics. Here are the key takeaways from the interview: Ambitions: Bacon, an Air Force veteran, cracked the door open to running for president in 2028 or Nebraska governor down the road. He said he wouldn't run against Gov. Jim Pillen, a close friend who took office in 2023. He's also interested in becoming defense secretary, though he's not sure he would ever be picked. 'I got asked the other day, 'You say you're interested in being an executive — is that governor or president?' I go, 'Yes,'' Bacon said. 'If there's an opportunity and I can make a difference, a unique difference, I would like to keep serving. I just don't want to do two-year elections.' 'I don't think it would be very easily done,' he said of a White House bid. 'All I know is I have a heart to serve our country, and I have a vision.' 2028 field: Bacon said he likes Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as potential candidates. But he took a jab at Vice President JD Vance. 'He's a contender. I like him personally, but I wish he saw the Russian threat a little better,' Bacon said. Russia-Ukraine war: Bacon, who has been critical of Trump's handling of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and his 'appeasement' of Vladimir Putin, said whoever ordered the pause on weapons to Ukraine should be fired. 'President Trump has done worse than Biden [on Ukraine], and I'm embarrassed to say that,' Bacon said. 'I don't like it. He seems to have a blind spot with Putin. I don't know what purpose it serves to withhold weapons to Ukraine and not see that Putin is the invader.'
