Donald Trump has thrown down the gauntlet, labeling Elon Musk’s third-party political ambitions as “off the rails,” and it’s a story fraught with political maneuvers and growing tensions.
At a Glance
● President Donald Trump has dismissed Elon Musk’s new “America Party” as a “train wreck.”
● The feud was ignited by Musk’s opposition to Trump’s signature tax-and-spending bill, which Musk called an “insane spending bill.”
● Legal experts say the hurdles for creating a successful third party are “extremely high” and would cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
● As the feud continues, the Trump administration has announced new 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea.
Trump Slams Musk’s “Train Wreck” Third Party
President Donald Trump has forcefully dismissed the new political ambitions of his former ally, Elon Musk, calling the tech billionaire’s plan to launch a third party a “train wreck” and saying that Musk has gone “off the rails.” The sharp rebuke is the latest escalation in a fiery public feud between two of the most powerful figures on the American right.
The conflict was sparked by Musk’s vehement opposition to Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” a massive legislative package that passed Congress last week.
Musk, who briefly served in the Trump administration, blasted the bill for increasing the national debt and vowed to create a new “America Party” to challenge the political establishment.
The Immense Hurdles for a New Party
While Musk’s proposal has generated significant buzz, political experts are deeply skeptical of its chances for success.
By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!
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. https://t.co/9K8AD04QQN
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 5, 2025
As political law expert Brett Kappel explained to WTOP News, the
American political system is designed to favor the two major parties.
“The hurdles for creating a new party and getting it on the ballot are extremely high,” Kappel said. “It can be done if you have endless amounts of money, but it’s a multi-year project and will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Trump Moves Forward with “America First” Agenda
As Musk navigates the difficult path of party-building, the Trump administration is moving ahead with its “America First” agenda. This week, the administration announced its intention to impose new 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea, two key U.S. allies.
Trump announces 25% tariffs on South Korea and Japan https://t.co/mtAH8IubNR
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) July 7, 2025
The move, reported by The Hill, is another example of the administration’s use of tariffs as a tool to reshape global trade relationships, the very policy that put Trump on a collision course with the more libertarian-minded Musk. The ongoing feud is a clear sign of a deep ideological rift within the conservative movement, but one in which the president appears to hold all the political cards.
