President Donald Trump unleashed harsh criticism of Elon Musk’s newly launched America Party on Sunday, calling the third-party bid “ridiculous” and accusing his former ally of having “gone completely off the rails.”
The clash intensified after Musk formally registered the America Party with the Federal Election Commission, making good on earlier threats issued during heated disputes over Trump’s sweeping government funding bill.
The filing marks a sharp escalation in the clash between two of America’s most high-profile figures. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey before heading back to the White House from his Bedminster golf club, Trump dismissed Musk’s political ambitions outright. The president appeared visibly irritated when pressed about his former ally’s new political venture.
“I think it’s ridiculous to start a third party,” Trump stated with characteristic bluntness. The president highlighted the historical success of the two-party system in American politics, defending the achievements of the Republican Party while criticizing the leadership of the Democrats.
“We have a tremendous success with the Republican Party,” he said. “The Democrats have lost their way, but it’s always been a two party system, and I think starting a third party just adds to confusion.” Trump continued his evaluation of third-party movements, highlighting their lack of success throughout American history.“It really seems to have been developed for two parties. Third parties have never worked, so he can have fun with it, but I think it’s ridiculous,” he stated.
He wrote, “I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks. He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States.”
