Elon Musk’s public fallout with Donald Trump has taken another dramatic turn, now escalating into a political and ideological rift with potential national consequences. In a stunning development, Musk not only declared his support for forming a new centrist political party but also took sharp aim at his former ally, suggesting that Trump owed his past electoral success to Musk's backing — a claim Trump flatly rejected with threats of economic retaliation.
📊 Musk’s X Poll: A New Party for the “Middle 80%”
In his now-viral post on X, Musk revealed the results of a poll asking whether the U.S. needs a new political party. The response: “80% said yes.”
“The people have spoken,” Musk wrote. “A new political party is needed in America to represent the 80% in the middle! And exactly 80% of people agree. This is fate.”
Though Musk hasn’t yet outlined a name or formal structure for the party, his framing positions it as an alternative to the polarized status quo, likely appealing to moderates disillusioned by both Democrats and Republicans.
💥 Trump-Musk Feud Explodes
The announcement came amid an intensifying public spat between Musk and Trump. Just days earlier, Musk had fired a series of shots at Trump, including the eyebrow-raising remark:
"Without me, Trump would have lost the election."
He later followed up with, "Such ingratitude," implying Trump had turned on him despite significant political and financial support.
Trump, never one to back down, hit back hard on Truth Social:
“I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!”“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.”
This was a direct threat to Tesla, SpaceX, and other Musk-led enterprises that benefit from significant government contracts, including for electric vehicles, space exploration, and energy initiatives.
🤝 A Political Alliance Gone Sour
Their relationship was once solid:
-
Musk served on Trump’s business advisory councils during his presidency.
-
He formed a pro-Trump PAC after the 2023 assassination attempt.
-
Musk regularly attended Trump rallies, wore MAGA hats, and even stood behind Trump during key public appearances.
He was so embedded in Trump’s political orbit that he was rumored to be a shadow advisor, occasionally weighing in on cabinet decisions.
Now, it’s all unraveling.
🔍 What This Means Politically
-
For Trump: Losing Musk’s support — especially his fundraising, public amplification on X, and symbolic loyalty — is a blow. Musk had access to younger, tech-savvy, and libertarian-leaning voters that Trump was hoping to energize.
-
For Musk: He's rebranding himself as a “centrist disruptor,” positioning his influence beyond traditional party lines. If the new party gains traction, it could fracture the Republican base and draw independent voters — though the historical success of third parties in U.S. politics remains minimal.
-
For Biden and Democrats: The feud may offer a temporary reprieve. A right-wing schism could split votes, aiding the Democratic incumbent — though Musk’s criticism of government spending might also resonate with centrists and independents.
🧨 Business Fallout Ahead?
Trump’s threats to cut off government funding and subsidies are not idle:
-
SpaceX has multiple NASA and Pentagon contracts.
-
Tesla benefits from EV tax credits and energy grants.
-
Neuralink and Starlink are also tied to federal interests.
If Trump were to return to office, Musk’s enterprises could face significant pressure — a risk Musk may be factoring into his push for political independence.
📝 Bottom Line
The Trump-Musk split is no longer just a personal falling-out — it’s a public power struggle with implications for American politics, tech policy, and election dynamics. Whether Musk’s “party of the middle” is a serious political venture or just another digital experiment, it has already reshaped the narrative heading into the 2024 election season.
