July 17, 2025 (Investigative Report) – In a stunning turn of events, Elon Musk has launched the “America Party,” marking the escalation of his public feud with Donald Trump and potentially reshaping the GOP landscape—specifically targeting Trump’s influence and legacy.

 Musk Breaks with Trump — And Forms a New Party

Elon Musk announced the America Party on July 5, 2025, via X (formerly Twitter), declaring:

“When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one‑party system, not a democracy. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

This move followed years of Musk donating over $290 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign and heading the Department of Government Efficiency—until diverging sharply over Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” tax and spending legislation, which Musk called an “insane” and “disgusting abomination”

 A Centered Blow to Trump’s Power Base

The America Party positions itself as a centrist, fiscally conservative alternative to both major parties. Musk envisions it strategically influencing key congressional races—not a full sweep—by “laser-focus[ing] on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts”

Former Trump ally Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that Musk even changed his phone number amid the fallout, highlighting the deepening divide

Major Hurdles Ahead

Ballot Access
Each state has unique, often stringent requirements. Experts say Musk has the resources—“only the richest person in the world” can—and ambition to navigate them, but it could take years and immense investment

Institutional Resistance
Analysts warn of systemic disadvantage toward third parties. Musk lacks a clear national platform, and public appetite remains uncertain: polling suggests 49% of voters are open to third parties, but only 17% would join his

Trump’s Retaliation
Trump slammed the plan as “ridiculous,” warning of “total disruption and chaos” and threatening to cut EV subsidies and government contracts

The Trump-Musk Smackdown

This political rupture signals more than personal animosity—it’s a direct assault on Trump’s legacy within the GOP. Where Musk once helped bankroll and advise Trump, he now vows to “unseat Republican lawmakers who voted for the bill”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent even publicly criticized Musk’s move, warning his companies’ boards want him focused on business—not politics

 Bottom Line

Elon Musk’s America Party is no casual experiment—it’s a deliberate counterstrike aimed at Trump’s fiscal and political influence. Though the third-party path is notoriously treacherous, Musk’s financial clout, media reach, and targeted strategy could make this the most consequential third-party bid in modern U.S. history. Whether it truly “destroys” Trump’s legacy depends on execution—and whether Republicans and voters follow.