Elon Musk launches America Party against Trump: target mid-term elections

Musk, before embarking on the newly announced adventure on his social media X, conducted an online survey among followers, which ended with 1.25 million responses and 65% support for the launch of the new party. Carried out in the run-up to Independence Day on the 4th of July, Musk pointed out that there could be no better time: "Independence Day is the perfect opportunity to ask if you want independence from a two-party system, which some consider a one-party system" when it comes to waste and corruption, he wrote.

Musk, to date the richest entrepreneur and investor in the world and therefore with resources to spend, had backed Trump to the hilt during the past election campaign, offering him hundreds of millions of dollars. After taking office in the White House, he had headed the Department of Government Efficiency, Doge, charged with drastically reducing government bureaucracy. He had become the President's First Buddy, an unfailing companion wherever he went.

However, the relationship has since frayed, with Musk appearing increasingly marginalised and disliked by Trump's associates, until he chose to leave Washington to return to his industrial empire of Tesla and Space X, which had meanwhile suffered from his absence and the controversy over his political activities. The prospect of his continued involvement in politics still unnerves his shareholders and supporters on Wall Street.

Musk's open rupture with Trump that has now led to the announcement of the new party took place over the so-called Big Beautiful Budget Bill, which the billionaire has repeatedly denounced as 'abominable' and 'insane' in the face of the impact on government deficits. After exchanges of even personal accusations, Musk apologised to Trump, but the confrontation did not really go away. Trump threatened 'serious consequences' if Musk hurt the Republicans, suggesting cancellation of federal contracts with his companies and even an expulsion from the country.

Already in recent weeks Musk had ventilated the launch of a new centre-right formation and certainly blocked new donations of over a hundred million dollars that he had promised to Trump and the Republicans for the Midterm elections. Now he seems to have taken the first concrete step.