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The rift between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has reignited in dramatic fashion, with the billionaire entrepreneur threatening to form a new political party and fund primary challengers to Republicans who back Trump’s sweeping tax cut and spending bill.
In a series of fiery posts on X (formerly Twitter) this week, Musk lashed out at the GOP for supporting what he calls a “disgusting abomination” of a bill that increases the national debt by $5 trillion while slashing green energy tax credits critical to Tesla, the electric vehicle company he helms.
“The GOP is the PORKY PIG PARTY!!” Musk wrote Monday, blasting the bill as “political suicide” and warning that Republicans “will lose their primaries if it’s the last thing I do.”
Musk, who previously led Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, had indicated earlier this year that he would scale back political donations. But his recent comments — including backing Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) against a Trump-backed challenger — suggest he may reengage financially.
“You’re awesome,” Musk replied to Massie on X after the congressman shared news of Musk’s support.
Trump Hits Back
President Trump, who once counted Musk among his most influential donors, responded with veiled threats — including the suggestion that Musk’s business ventures could come under scrutiny, and even floated the idea of deportation.
“Without subsidies, he’d probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” Trump posted, calling the EV mandate “ridiculous.”
At the White House on Tuesday, Trump doubled down. Asked if he would consider deporting Musk, Trump responded, “We might have to put DOGE on Elon,” referencing the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency Musk once ran for him.
“DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” Trump added cryptically.
“America Party” on the Horizon?
Musk has floated the idea of a new political party before, but now he’s attaching a timeline. He wrote that if the “insane spending bill” passes, a new “America Party” would be formed “the next day.”
“The U.S. needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE,” Musk said Monday.
He reposted an informal poll from May asking followers whether the country needs a centrist party to represent “the 80% in the middle.” The post drew millions of views and thousands of comments, reflecting growing frustration with the two-party system — though political analysts remain skeptical.
“Third parties historically struggle at the national level,” said Michael Steele, former RNC chair. “But Musk has name recognition, cash, and an enormous platform. If he really goes in, it’ll get attention — and maybe peel votes from both sides.”
Business Stakes and Political Fallout
At the heart of Musk’s opposition are cuts to green energy tax incentives, including those for electric vehicles, which the new bill rolls back. Tesla stands to lose up to $1.2 billion, according to estimates from JPMorgan Chase. Tesla’s solar and energy storage arms are also dependent on federal incentives.
Critics say Musk’s political pivot is as much about protecting his business interests as it is about ideological opposition.
“Musk is furious because this bill hits him in the wallet,” said Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif. “But let’s not pretend this is a populist uprising — it’s a billionaire tantrum.”
Still, Musk’s influence remains potent. With Trump eager to consolidate support ahead of his next major policy battles, and congressional Republicans walking a tightrope between loyalty and fiscal caution, Musk’s reentry into the political arena could reshape upcoming primaries — and potentially the broader political landscape.
Whether or not the America Party materializes, the Musk-Trump feud is poised to dominate headlines and complicate Republican unity in the months to come.
