Elon Musk Challenges Trump and Pushes for New Political Party
Elon Musk has escalated his public clash with former President Donald Trump, taking their long-standing uneasy alliance into outright conflict.
Musk stirred the political waters by proposing the creation of a new American political party aimed at representing the “80% in the middle,” a move that could reshape the current political landscape.
Trump and Musk’s Relationship Turns Hostile
Just days after the pair appeared together at the White House, where they shared friendly gestures during Musk’s stint at the Department of Government Efficiency, tensions have sharply deteriorated.
Trump accused Musk of “wearing thin” and claimed he asked Musk to leave the administration, a charge Musk disputes.
The catalyst for the fallout was Musk’s vocal criticism of the recent government budget bill, which cuts electric vehicle credits — a direct blow to Tesla.
Trump fired back aggressively, threatening to end all government contracts and subsidies tied to Musk’s business empire, including Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures.
Trump posted on Truth Social,
“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.”
Musk responded defiantly,
“Go ahead, make my day.”
Political Fallout Sparks Questions About Musk’s Future Role
Musk’s poll on X, asking if it is time for a new political party to serve the “middle 80%,” gained overwhelming support with 81% voting yes.
This signals his possible exit from traditional party politics and hints at building a centrist movement that distances itself from the current Republican and Democratic divide.
Adding fuel to the fire, Musk publicly accused Trump of being involved in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, claiming this as the real reason certain files have remained sealed.
Musk posted,
“Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.”
This further intensifies the personal nature of their feud.
Democrats Grapple with Musk’s Shifting Position
The ongoing conflict has left Democrats in a complex position.
While many had criticised Musk’s federal role and business practices, some see his break with Trump as an opportunity.
Silicon Valley Democrat Ro Khanna suggested efforts to engage Musk could bear fruit given shared interests in science, clean energy, and immigration.
Yet others remain wary.
New York’s Ritchie Torres acknowledged Musk’s accuracy on certain legislative points but highlighted the significant damage Musk has inflicted on federal programmes.
Torres said,
“He is telling the truth about the legislation, but also has done an enormous amount of damage.”
Centrist Democrats like Liam Kerr believe Musk’s influence could disrupt traditional party narratives, suggesting it would be “foolish not to let him in the door.”
However, voices such as Rep. Brad Schneider call for focusing on broader policy goals rather than Musk’s divisive presence.
Trump and Musk’s Battle Over the Budget Bill
The core of their dispute lies in Trump’s budget bill, a $1.6 trillion package touted as the “biggest tax cut ever given” but slammed by Musk as “a disgusting abomination.”
Musk claims the bill was rushed through Congress “in the dead of night” without adequate review, particularly objecting to the cutbacks in electric vehicle incentives.
Trump, defending the bill, said it was necessary to avoid a “68% tax increase” and framed it as a step toward fiscal responsibility.
He also took credit for revoking Musk’s EV mandate, which he claimed Musk had been aware would be cancelled for months.
Musk dismissed this as “obvious” falsehood.
Business Impact and Future Uncertainties
The public dispute caused Tesla’s stock to fall sharply, reflecting investor concern over potential government contract losses.
Trump’s threat to revoke subsidies puts Musk’s companies in a precarious position, especially given the heavy reliance on federal support for some of his ventures.
Amid these tensions, Musk reminded followers that Trump’s presidency has just 3.5 years left.
In contrast, he stated,
“I will be around for 40+ years.”
This reflects a clear indication of Musk’s long-term ambitions beyond the current political dispute.
Personal Drama Adds to Public Spectacle
Adding a layer of personal drama, Musk’s ex-partner Ashley St. Claire joined the fray with a quip aimed at Trump, writing on X,
“Hey @realDonaldTrump lmk if u need any breakup advice.”
Their own split, just two months ago, reflects the highly public and often messy nature of Musk’s life outside business and politics.
This conflict marks a significant shift in the US political and business landscape, as one of the country’s most influential figures publicly distances himself from established parties and enters a battle that blurs lines between personal vendettas and political strategy.
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