Elon Musk has quietly shelved plans for his proposed “America Party” less than three months after its announcement, according to multiple reports citing sources familiar with his plans. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO is reportedly prioritizing his business interests and maintaining relationships with key Republican figures, particularly Vice President JD Vance.
The Wall Street Journal first reported on August 19, 2025, that Musk told associates he wants to focus on his companies and avoid starting a party that could siphon voters from the GOP. Sources indicated the tech billionaire is reluctant to alienate powerful Republicans and damage his relationship with Vance, who is widely considered the heir apparent to the MAGA movement.
Musk responded to the Journal’s reporting on his X social media platform on Wednesday, August 20, writing that “Nothing The Journal says should ever be thought of as true.” However, multiple sources close to the billionaire confirmed he has been pumping the brakes on the third-party initiative.
The America Party concept emerged during Musk’s public feud with President Donald Trump over the “One Big Beautiful Bill” in July 2025. On July 4, Musk posted a poll asking his followers whether they wanted independence from the two-party system, with the question: “Should we create the America Party?” The following day, he announced the party’s formation, stating it would give Americans back their freedom.
The billionaire’s initial enthusiasm for the party stemmed from his strong opposition to Trump’s spending legislation, which he criticized as wasteful government spending. Musk had planned for the new party to compete in the 2026 midterm elections, targeting two or three Senate seats and eight to 10 House districts. He also indicated he would support primary challengers against Republicans who supported the controversial spending bill.
According to sources, Musk’s decision to pause the America Party reflects his strategic interest in backing JD Vance for a potential 2028 presidential run. The tech mogul has expressed to those in his circle that he would financially support Vance if he seeks the White House, similar to how he invested nearly $300 million in Trump and other Republican campaigns during the 2024 elections.
Vance has made overtures aimed at bringing Musk back into the MAGA movement despite what sources describe as a complicated relationship with the White House. In an interview with the Gateway Pundit, Vance acknowledged that Musk helped significantly in getting Trump elected in 2024 and expressed hope that the billionaire would return to the fold by the midterm elections.
The vice president indicated he believed it would be a mistake for Musk to break from the president and hoped things would return to normal. Vance acknowledged uncertainty about whether Musk would take his call but emphasized his desire to see the relationship repaired.
Musk’s political involvement reached its peak during his tenure heading the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, which focused on reducing waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending. His time in the Trump administration ended on May 30, 2025, when he left to focus on his companies, though he and Trump initially appeared to be on good terms.
The public dispute between Musk and Trump escalated quickly after Musk’s departure from the administration. Within days of leaving, Musk posted criticism of legislation the Trump White House was promoting, calling the spending bill a “disgusting abomination” and expressing shame toward those who voted for it. Trump responded by looking into terminating Musk’s federal contracts as the feud intensified.
Political analysts noted that a new political party backed by the world’s richest man could significantly impact the Republican Party’s voter base. Democratic strategist Denny Salas indicated there is sufficient anger within the American electorate to enable a third party like the America Party to recruit legitimate candidates and gain voter support, though he questioned the sustainability of an effort launched on a billionaire’s whim rather than grassroots organizing.
Sources close to Musk indicated he has not formally ruled out launching the America Party and could revisit the idea as the 2026 midterms approach. The billionaire is reportedly waiting to see how the midterm elections develop before making any final decisions about the party’s future.
Mark Cuban, a billionaire who previously supported the America Party idea, has not spoken to Musk about the initiative in months, according to sources. Additionally, Musk’s own political advisors have not discussed the party with him recently, suggesting the project has been effectively mothballed for the time being.
The development represents a significant shift from Musk’s summer rhetoric about challenging the traditional two-party system in American politics. His original vision called for a party that would appeal to voters disillusioned by both Democrats and Republicans, targeting what he described as the 80 percent of Americans in the political middle.
