President Donald Trump sharply criticized Elon Musk’s announcement of a new political party, calling it “ridiculous” and a source of confusion in the U.S. political landscape.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey, Trump dismissed the idea of a third party, emphasizing the success of the Republican Party.
“I think it’s ridiculous to start a third party. We have a tremendous success with the Republican Party,” Trump said,
He argued that the two-party system has long defined American politics and that Musk’s initiative would only complicate matters.
The remarks come as Musk, once a close ally, announced the formation of the “America Party” to challenge both Republicans and Democrats.
Musk’s decision to create the America Party stems from his opposition to Trump’s recently signed tax-cut and spending bill, which Musk claims will exacerbate the federal deficit.
The billionaire’s new party aims to target Republican lawmakers who supported the legislation in the upcoming midterm elections.
Trump, in response, took to Truth Social, lamenting Musk’s recent actions, stating, “I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks.”
The president also suggested that Musk’s criticism is driven by the loss of green-energy credits for Tesla’s electric vehicles under the new law.
This fallout follows a period of close collaboration, with Musk previously supporting Trump’s 2024 campaign and briefly leading the Department of Government Efficiency.
Further straining their relationship, Trump addressed his decision to withdraw Jared Isaacman, a Musk ally, as NASA administrator, citing potential conflicts of interest.
“I also thought it inappropriate that a very close friend of Elon, who was in the Space Business, run NASA,” Trump said on Truth Social.
Isaacman’s nomination was rescinded in May, a move Trump linked to Musk’s extensive business ties with the space agency through SpaceX.
The public dispute has also impacted financial markets, with Azoria Partners delaying its Tesla ETF launch, citing Musk’s political ambitions as a conflict with his CEO duties.
The ongoing feud highlights a deepening divide between two influential figures, with implications for both politics and industry.