A political clash erupted between Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump after Congress passed the Trump-supported “Big Beautiful Bill,” a tax and spending package. Musk immediately criticized the legislation on X, calling it a “disgusting abomination” that benefits lobbyists and entrenched interests at the cost of America’s future. His sharp post sparked a fierce online exchange between the two high-profile figures.

Trump quickly responded on Truth Social, attacking Musk for criticizing a bill that phases out electric vehicle subsidies—programs Tesla had long relied on. He accused Musk of being the biggest beneficiary of taxpayer money and mocked his South African roots, implying he should “head back to Pretoria.” Trump also hinted at reviewing all federal contracts benefiting Musk’s businesses.

In a bold counter-move, Musk posted a poll asking followers if he should start a new political party. With over 12 million votes and 73% approval, he declared the creation of the “America Party.” Musk positioned it as a citizen-powered alternative to the entrenched two-party system, pledging to release a full platform soon. Initial principles included fiscal transparency, decentralization, technological advancement, and civil-liberties absolutism.

The political world reacted swiftly. Analysts likened Musk’s move to Ross Perot’s third-party effort in 1992, noting the potential to reshape the 2026 midterms if Musk uses his $260 billion fortune to gain ballot access. While some Republicans dismissed the idea as a vanity project, others expressed interest. Democrats welcomed opposition to Trump but warned of vote splitting.

Tensions escalated further as reports emerged that Trump was exploring legal and financial retaliation. According to Forbes, Trump directed aides to investigate whether SpaceX’s Pentagon contracts could be challenged and even suggested reviewing Musk’s U.S. citizenship—though legal experts dismissed deportation as implausible.

Looking ahead, Musk plans to host a livestreamed “America Party Convention 0.1” in August from Texas, where bylaws and leadership structures will be introduced. He also hinted at supporting state-level candidates by September and influencing the 2026 federal budget talks in October.

Whether Musk intends to run for office himself or shape policy from the sidelines remains unclear. But for now, his high-profile feud with Trump has launched the most significant third-party effort in decades, shaking the U.S. political landscape.