Trump Calls Musk’s America Party ‘Ridiculous’ in Fiery Political Clash

President Donald Trump didn’t mince words when he called Elon Musk’s new political venture, the America Party, a "ridiculous" idea doomed to fail. Speaking to reporters in Bedminster, New Jersey, before boarding Air Force One, Trump dismissed the tech mogul’s third-party ambitions, arguing that the U.S. political system is built for two parties and that third parties only sow "confusion" and "chaos."

"The Republican Party is a smooth-running machine," Trump declared, touting its recent passage of a massive $3.3 trillion bill packed with tax cuts, infrastructure spending, and stimulus measures. He took a swipe at Musk’s motives, suggesting the billionaire’s move was a reaction to the bill’s elimination of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Mandate, a policy Trump has long opposed. "I campaigned on killing that mandate, and Elon knew it," Trump said, expressing surprise at Musk’s apparent shift.

Musk, for his part, announced the America Party on his platform X, framing it as a rebellion against a "corrupt political establishment." A July 4 poll on X, which garnered over 1.2 million votes, showed 65.4% of respondents craving an alternative to the two-party system. Musk’s party aims to secure a few key congressional seats to act as a swing bloc, curbing what he calls the "waste and graft" of both Republicans and Democrats.

Trump, however, wasn’t buying it. On Truth Social, he lamented watching Musk go "completely off the rails" and warned that third parties have never succeeded in the U.S. due to systemic barriers like the Electoral College and winner-take-all elections. History backs him up: Ross Perot’s 1992 independent run nabbed nearly 19% of the vote but zero electoral votes, and no third-party candidate has come close since.

The tension between the former allies seems to stem from deeper rifts. Trump revealed Musk pushed for a "blue-blooded Democrat" friend to lead NASA, a move Trump rejected to protect American interests. Meanwhile, Musk’s criticism of unchecked government spending—though not directly tied to the new bill—hints at his frustration with the political status quo.

As the dust settles, the clash between these two titans reveals a broader truth: America’s two-party system is a tough beast to crack, and Musk’s bold gamble may be more symbolic than practical.