How will Elon Musk’s America Party impact US politics? Here’s what we know

New Delhi: Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and CEO of Tesla, X, and SpaceX, on Saturday unveiled a new political entity, the “America Party,” marking his most direct and audacious intervention yet in US electoral politics.

The announcement was made via an X (formerly Twitter) post, featuring Musk saluting in front of an American flag with the slogan “AMERICA PARTY.”

The post was published from the official @AmericaPartyX handle, declaring: “America isn’t divided. It’s been ignored. The America Party isn’t a wedge, it’s a bridge.”

The launch follows months of speculation about Musk’s political ambitions. After playing a prominent role in Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election bid and being dubbed “Shadow President” during the post-election transition, Musk’s formal entry into party politics comes amid a period of sharp polarisation in the United States.

Details about the America Party’s leadership, platform, and election strategy remain undisclosed as of this report. There is no official word on whether Musk intends to run for office himself or field candidates in the 2028 US elections.

Musk has positioned the America Party as a response to what he calls the failure of the current two-party system to represent the American public. A 2023 American Political Science Review study cited by party materials claims that 62% of Americans feel unrepresented by Democrats and Republicans.

The party’s launch message, while patriotic in tone, did not clarify its stance on major issues such as the economy, immigration, climate change, or foreign policy.

Historically, Musk has been vocal on topics ranging from social media regulation to energy, but has yet to define a comprehensive political agenda for the party.

The timing of Musk’s announcement is significant. Gallup polling from March 2025 found that 58% of Americans support the idea of a third party, reflecting broad public dissatisfaction with existing options. However, third-party bids in US history have rarely succeeded in breaking the dominance of Democrats and Republicans.

Musk’s business interests, including SpaceX contracts with NASA and other extensive commercial ventures, add another layer of complexity, raising potential questions about conflicts of interest should the party become a force in US government.

One question dominating public conversation is whether Musk could use the America Party as a platform for a presidential bid. However, as someone born in South Africa, Musk is not eligible to become President or Vice President of the United States.

The US Constitution requires that a president be a natural-born US citizen, at least 35 years old, and have been a resident in the country for 14 years. Although Musk became a US citizen in 2002, he does not meet the “natural-born citizen” clause and is therefore barred from the nation’s highest office.

Nevertheless, Musk remains eligible to fund, lead, or guide a political movement, and can influence party policy or back other candidates for federal or state office. Observers are watching whether he will attempt to play the role of kingmaker, party chairman, or focus on shaping public discourse through the new platform.

As of publication, the America Party exists primarily as a digital announcement and branding exercise. There is no information yet on party membership, office-bearers, campaign infrastructure, or candidate selection. The party’s official website and public communications provide no further details.

The immediate impact of Musk’s move is to inject new uncertainty into the American political landscape, especially with the next presidential election cycle on the horizon.

Observers are now waiting for Musk’s next statement or a formal event that could clarify whether he intends to contest elections, build a political coalition, or simply use the party as a platform for advocacy.