Former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized entrepreneur Elon Musk's announcement of a new political party, dubbing it "ridiculous" in comments to reporters before embarking on Air Force One. Trump conveyed his skepticism, stating, "It's always been a two-party system and I think starting a third party just adds to the confusion."
Musk, well-known for leading companies like Tesla, had teased the upcoming America Party over recent weeks, which aims to serve as a counterpoint to the established Republican and Democratic parties. The new initiative comes amid tensions between the two influential figures, who were once allies, especially during Musk’s tenure heading the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), which aimed to streamline federal spending.
In a follow-up post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed his disappointment over Musk's recent actions. He remarked, "I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely 'off the rails,' essentially becoming a train wreck over the past five weeks." Trump specifically targeted Musk's proposal for an "Electric Vehicle (EV) Mandate," claiming it would force consumers into electric car ownership in an unreasonably short timeframe.
Trump's tax and spending plan, ratified on July 4, ironically eliminated tax incentives for electric vehicles. He noted his longstanding opposition to Musk's EV mandate, arguing it was crucial to uphold consumer choices in the automotive market. Trump elaborated, "People are now allowed to buy whatever they want - Gasoline Powered, Hybrids (which are doing very well), or New Technologies as they come about - No more EV Mandate."
The new political party has sparked discussion amid Musk's ongoing criticism of federal spending policies. As tensions mount and both figures seek to assert their influence, the future of this proposed political movement remains uncertain.
