Elon Musk's 'America Party': A Deep Dive into the Billionaire's Third-Party Ambitions

In the ever-shifting landscape of American politics, where the dominance of the two major parties often leaves voters feeling disenfranchised, the idea of a viable third option periodically captures the public imagination. This time, the catalyst is none other than Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his audacious ventures in technology and his increasingly vocal presence in political discourse. Over a recent weekend, Musk initiated what could be described as a 'soft launch' for a new political entity he's dubbed the “America Party.” Beginning with a poll on his platform X, Musk appears to be actively working to manifest this concept into reality.

The formal establishment of a political party in the United States is a complex process, involving significant legal and logistical hurdles. It requires filing official paperwork with bodies like the Federal Election Commission and undertaking the arduous task of petitioning for ballot access in individual states. As of now, Musk has not taken these concrete steps. However, his public pronouncements have opened the door to what could potentially be the most financially robust attempt in history to launch a third party.

Musk's foray into this territory follows a period of public criticism directed at President Donald Trump, particularly concerning legislative matters such as the One Big Beautiful Bill reconciliation package. This apparent divergence from the former president, with whom Musk had previously shown alignment, signals a potential “breakup” and a search for a new political direction. Musk's initial vision for the America Party, as outlined on X, involves a targeted approach: aiming to secure eight to ten seats in the House of Representatives and a smaller number in the Senate. This strategy suggests a focus on building a foothold within Congress rather than immediately contesting the presidency.

Yet, the fundamental question remains: Who exactly would comprise this new party? From potential candidates and campaign staff to the crucial base of supporters, the composition of the America Party is currently unclear. Its formation hinges entirely on identifying individuals and groups who, like Musk, perceive a need for a different political home.

Finding a Political Home: Disillusioned Voters and Emerging Coalitions

The notion that a significant portion of the American electorate is dissatisfied with the status quo is well-supported by polling data. A June CNN poll indicated that four in ten voters overall, and a striking 76 percent of independents, felt that neither the Democratic nor the Republican party offered strong leadership or the ability to effectively govern. This widespread discontent might seem like fertile ground for a third party. However, historical precedent suggests that translating this general dissatisfaction into active support for a new political movement is exceedingly difficult.

According to national strategists familiar with minor party efforts, success in the current political climate is heavily reliant on capturing public attention. “This is the attention economy,” one strategist noted, highlighting the challenge of engaging the very centrists Musk aims to attract, who are often less engaged with daily political news. In a midterm election cycle, where the most ideologically committed voters typically dominate, mobilizing a broad base of third-party supporters presents a significant hurdle.

However, there's a potential coalition that could provide a unique boost to Musk's endeavor: the overlapping communities of cryptocurrency enthusiasts and the Silicon Valley “tech right.” This source, with strong ties to the crypto world, suggested that donors from this sector are increasingly feeling “jaded” by the lack of tangible policy wins from the current administration, despite substantial financial contributions to the 2024 campaign. Given Musk's well-known pro-crypto stance, he is uniquely positioned to appeal to this group. “Elon is famously very pro-crypto,” the strategist observed, suggesting that Musk might leverage his platform on X and other channels to actively court these communities. Building a diverse coalition is crucial for any third party, and the strategist emphasized that a key problem for past efforts has been the lack of sufficient popular or political critical mass.

The tech right, in particular, also experienced setbacks in recent legislative efforts. For instance, a proposed 10-year ban on state-level AI regulation, a priority for some in the tech industry, failed to pass as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill, a development previously reported by WIRED. These disappointments could further motivate individuals within these sectors to seek alternative political avenues.

Ultimately, Musk's greatest asset in this venture is his unparalleled ability to command attention. His public statements and actions generate significant media coverage and online discussion. “Hatertainment and angertainment,” as the strategist wryly put it, can paradoxically be beneficial for a nascent third party seeking to break through the noise.

Identifying Potential Candidates and Operatives

If the America Party were to move beyond the conceptual stage and materialize into a formal political organization, the question of who would carry its banner arises. Politicians and operatives consulted by WIRED offered several names as potential candidates who might find a home in a Musk-backed third party.

Among those mentioned is US Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky. Massie has drawn both criticism from Donald Trump and praise from Musk for his opposition to the One Big Beautiful Bill. His libertarian-leaning views and willingness to challenge party leadership could make him a potential fit.

In the Senate, possibilities include Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman, known for his unconventional style and willingness to deviate from party lines, or even Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski. Murkowski is notable for her independent streak and, along with Vice President J.D. Vance, played a decisive role in the passage of Trump's bill. Crucially, Murkowski operates in a state with open primaries, which could insulate her from the threat of a Trump-endorsed primary challenger—a fear that often constrains other Republican members.

Former House members Peter Meijer and Justin Amash, both from Michigan, were also cited. Amash, in particular, has a history of breaking with the Republican party, having left it to become an independent and later a Libertarian during his time in Congress from 2019 to 2021. Their past willingness to challenge party orthodoxy makes them plausible candidates for a new political movement.

Andrew Yang, who previously attempted to build his own third party, The Forward Party, has direct experience with the challenges of this path. Yang's efforts have focused on advocating for election reforms like open primaries and ranked-choice voting, though with limited success so far. Despite his own struggles, Yang expressed openness to Musk's idea. “There are multiple members of Congress who could be enlisted to a new party,” Yang told WIRED, citing the significant discontent among existing officeholders who feel at odds with their own parties. He believes that races contested by independents could create numerous opportunities. Yang personally suggested Massie and Murkowski as potential recruits, agreeing that Amash and Fetterman could also be fits.

When asked if he would join forces with Musk or if he viewed the billionaire as too polarizing to lead a successful third party, Yang remained non-committal in his response to WIRED. However, he confirmed to Politico that he had been in contact with Musk regarding the America Party.

A national campaign strategist who has worked with Yang and other third-party efforts characterized Yang's approach as consistent with his philosophy of accepting help from anyone willing to offer it. “One of the best parts—and probably worst parts, according to some—about Andrew's philosophy on life and building things, is like, if people want to help you, let them,” the strategist explained, requesting anonymity to speak candidly. This perspective suggests Yang's willingness to collaborate even with figures some might find controversial. When this characterization was relayed to Yang, he offered a grinning emoji in response, declining further comment.

Beyond potential candidates, the strategist also speculated on which political consulting firms or operatives might align with Musk's venture. Alumni of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's presidential campaign were mentioned, given their established relationship with Musk. Phil Cox, a key strategist for DeSantis, had previously secured significant work with Musk's America PAC supporting Trump through his firms P2 Public Affairs and GP3, part of what industry insiders call “the rollup.” This network included Blitz Canvassing, a firm that faced scrutiny over its treatment of workers in Musk's get-out-the-vote operation, as reported by WIRED.

However, a source familiar with Cox's intentions indicated that this relationship would not extend to the America Party. “There’s not a shot in hell Phil would work for a third party. He’s dedicated his life to electing Republicans and supports Trump 100%,” the source stated via text message.

Interestingly, Governor DeSantis himself brought up Musk's third party unprompted during a recent appearance. While his deputy press secretary claimed he had been asked about it previously, DeSantis's phrasing suggested he was introducing the topic. DeSantis acknowledged Musk's innovative entrepreneurship and suggested the party could have a “monumental impact” if it focused on specific goals like a balanced budget amendment and congressional term limits. However, he also expressed concern that the effort could inadvertently benefit Democrats, stating, “Look, I’m a Republican. You know, I don’t wanna see that happen.”

Another plausible firm mentioned was Tusk Strategies, founded by Bradley Tusk, an alumnus of Michael Bloomberg's administration with ties to Yang's mayoral campaigns and the Eric Adams administration. Tusk, however, expressed skepticism about Musk's current approach. He told WIRED via email that unless Musk can “demonstrate a real vision and agenda” and refrain from “saying and doing crazy things that repel the people and candidates you need,” it would be difficult to attract credible individuals to work for the party, unless motivated solely by money.

The challenge of staffing a third-party effort is significant. As the independent strategist noted, “Staffing is one of your biggest challenges. Who works on these campaigns? Generally, it’s political consultants.” For younger staffers, joining a third-party campaign carries reputational risk within the established party structures. The strategist recalled the difficulties faced by the Dean Phillips 2024 presidential campaign in securing quality vendors and consultants due to fears of alienating major Democratic clients. This dynamic suggests that Musk's party might struggle to attract experienced political professionals unless it can demonstrate serious viability and a clear path to success.

A Look Back: The Historical Challenges of Third Parties

Elon Musk's enthusiasm for creating a new political party, while fueled by contemporary dissatisfaction, overlooks a long and consistent pattern of failure for third-party movements in US history. The American political system, largely shaped by its winner-take-all electoral structure and campaign finance laws, has proven remarkably resistant to sustained third-party success.

The dominance of the Democratic and Republican parties is starkly illustrated by voter registration data. The top five minor parties combined represent a tiny fraction—less than 1 or 2 percent—of registered voters nationwide. This structural reality means that any new party faces an uphill battle simply to gain recognition and support.

Perhaps the most relevant historical parallel for a well-funded, personality-driven third-party bid is Ross Perot's Reform Party. Perot, a billionaire businessman, made a significant impact in the 1992 presidential election, running as an independent and capturing 18.9 percent of the popular vote. He followed this with an 8.4 percent share in the 1996 election under the Reform Party banner. Despite the Reform Party achieving ballot access in all 50 states in 1996—a goal Musk hasn't even articulated yet—it failed to elect any candidates to Congress. Perot's success was largely personal and temporary, demonstrating that even significant funding and name recognition are not sufficient to build a lasting political organization capable of winning elections beyond a single presidential bid.

This historical pattern leads many political observers, particularly Democrats, to view Musk's efforts with a degree of equanimity, or even hope. “I hope Elon Musk mounts the most successful creation of a third party in political history,” Democratic pollster Evan Roth Smith told WIRED, adding, “and that it lasts exactly 18 months.” The underlying belief is that a Musk-led party, if it gains any traction, is more likely to draw support from the Republican base than the Democratic one, potentially acting as a spoiler for the GOP. A Newsweek article also explored this possibility, suggesting a greater impact on Republican support.

Beyond the political dynamics, some strategists point to Musk's business commitments as a potential constraint on his political ambitions. His prominent role at companies like Tesla means his political activities are closely watched by boards and shareholders. A Democratic strategist, requesting anonymity, suggested that going “to war with Trump and the entire GOP by leading a third party is the last thing his company’s board and shareholders want to see right now.” This strategist speculated that at some point, these stakeholders might intervene, potentially limiting Musk's political involvement. “And at some point,” the strategist added, “they will take the keys away from him.”

The Trademark Tussle: A Side Drama

Adding a layer of complexity, and perhaps illustrating the somewhat impulsive nature of the America Party's launch, is the issue of trademark registration. While Musk announced the party's formation, he had not taken the step of registering a trademark for the name. This oversight was quickly seized upon by others.

Thomas Kuracina, an inventor from Nevada, filed for an “America Party” trademark on July 5th, the same day Musk made his announcement. Kuracina told WIRED's Tim Marchman that his intention was not to extort Musk but to work with him, having “reserved it for them” because they hadn't filed. He stated he was open to assigning the trademark or abandoning his application if Musk's team filed their own. What Kuracina seeks is a voice in the potential new party, driven by concerns about the influence of billionaires and the impact of the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FEC decision on campaign finance.

Kuracina has his own set of policy proposals for the America Party, including radical changes to the election process, such as a two-week online primary and general election. He also advocates for increasing the number of patent examiners, eliminating pork-barrel spending, and doing away with presidential pardons. Notably, Kuracina believes Mark Cuban would be a better public face for the party than Musk, whom he sees as compromised by his association with the previous administration's “Department of Government Efficiency” and too prone to disruptive “theatrics.” “Mr. Musk is not a popular guy. You don't hacksaw, you don't chain-saw change,” Kuracina remarked. “His theatrics were not very good. That was not a good representation of who we want.”

Legal experts suggest that securing trademark rights for a political party name can be complicated, particularly if applicants are not actively using or demonstrating a clear intent to use the mark in commerce related to political activities. Rachael Dickson, a senior trademark counsel at Lloyd & Mousilli, noted that simply putting a name on merchandise like T-shirts is generally not sufficient for trademark use. Since Kuracina stated he has no plans to use the mark “at this point in time,” his claim could be vulnerable. However, the process for disputing trademark applications takes months, meaning Musk's ability to use the name for marketing purposes could remain uncertain for a considerable period unless an agreement is reached with Kuracina or other filers. A New Jersey man also applied to register “The America Party” for apparel the day after Musk's announcement, further complicating the picture.

Anthony Lupo, the attorney listed on Tesla's trademark paperwork, declined to comment on the matter when contacted by WIRED.

The Long Road Ahead

Elon Musk's exploration of launching the America Party highlights the persistent desire among some Americans for a political alternative to the dominant two-party system. His immense resources and public profile offer a unique starting point, potentially overcoming some of the financial and attention-related hurdles that have stymied past third-party efforts.

However, the challenges are formidable. The structural biases of the US electoral system, including ballot access laws and campaign finance regulations, heavily favor established parties. Building a cohesive coalition from diverse groups, including disillusioned centrists, crypto enthusiasts, and potentially disaffected politicians, requires navigating complex ideological landscapes.

The historical record serves as a stark reminder of the difficulty in translating popular discontent into lasting third-party success. Even well-funded efforts like Ross Perot's ultimately failed to break the two-party duopoly in Congress. Staffing a new political organization with experienced professionals who are willing to risk their careers is another significant hurdle.

Furthermore, Musk's own polarizing public persona and his existing corporate responsibilities could either be assets or liabilities, depending on how he manages them. The side drama surrounding trademark registration underscores the need for careful planning and execution, areas where the initial rollout appears to have been lacking.

While the America Party remains in its nascent, 'soft-launched' phase, its trajectory will be closely watched. Whether it evolves into a serious political force capable of challenging the status quo or joins the long list of failed third-party experiments remains to be seen. Its potential impact on the existing political dynamic, particularly within the Republican party, is a key question that could influence the strategies of both major parties in upcoming elections.

The journey of the America Party, if it continues, will be a test of whether a billionaire's resources and platform can overcome the deep-seated structural and historical forces that have long confined American politics to a two-party system. The narrative is just beginning to unfold, and the coming months will reveal whether Musk can attract the necessary talent, build a viable coalition, and navigate the myriad challenges required to turn a social media poll into a lasting political movement.

Photo collage of Elon Musk breaking through a big piece of paper with the Republican elephant symbol on it — Photo-illustration: WIRED Staff; Getty Images