Musk defies 'Trump Law'…"Announces the formation of America Party today"

Korea Economic Daily

Summary

Elon Musk made clear his opposition to President Trump’s policy bill by announcing the formation of a new party.
Musk expressed his intention to play the role of a 'casting vote' through securing seats in both the House and Senate and to influence controversial bills.
The establishment of the America Party is seen as a political move to attract anti-Trump and non-Democratic supporters, and is expected to become a major variable in the midterm elections.

"We will return freedom to you all"

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, who has recently clashed with Donald Trump, President of the United States, over a new bill, announced the launch of a new party on the 5th (local time).

In a post on the social networking service (SNS) X, Musk said, "Those of you who want a new party will get it," and declared, "Today, the 'America Party' is being established to return freedom to you all."

Musk further explained the purpose of founding the new party by stating, "When it comes to bankrupting our country through waste and corruption, we are living not in a democracy, but in a 'one-party system.'" He claimed that there was no difference between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party when it comes to 'waste' and 'corruption.'

On the previous day, which is Independence Day in the United States, Musk hinted at the possibility of launching the party by creating an online poll asking for pros and cons regarding its founding.

In a subsequent post, he said, "One way to do this is to focus on 2-3 Senate seats and 8-10 House districts," adding, "Given the very slim margin of seats, this will be enough to serve as decisive votes on controversial bills and ensure that the true will of the people is reflected."

During last year’s presidential election, Musk was a strong supporter of President Trump, emerging as one of his closest new allies. However, recently, Musk has publicly opposed and confronted Trump over a 'big, beautiful bill'—a comprehensive policy agenda including tax cuts and enhanced border security.

It is interpreted that Musk's new party aims to secure a certain number of seats in both the House and Senate in the upcoming midterm elections next November by absorbing 'anti-Trump' and non-Democratic supporters, thereby preventing the Republican Party from unilaterally passing Trump’s policy bills and acting as a 'third party' holding the casting vote.

Shin Min-kyung, Hankyung.com journalist radio@hankyung.com