What began as a strong alliance between US President Donald Trump and world’s richest man Elon Musk has now spiralled into a sharp public fallout. Taking the rift further, the Tesla CEO and former insider in Trump’s administration triggered talk of a political shake-up by asking his followers: “Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?”Based on the poll results, Musk floated the name “The America Party” on X, the platform he owns.The overwhelming response to the poll, led him to say: “The people have spoken. A new political party is needed in America to represent the 80% in the middle!” and added, “And exactly 80% of people agree. This is fate.”Later in the day, he also reposted a message outlining his “vision to dismantle the establishment,” while spotlighting arguments against the entrenched “establishment duopoly.”The political rift became public earlier this week when Musk slammed one of Trump’s most touted legislative efforts, referred to by the president as his “big, beautiful bill”, calling it a “disgusting abomination.” The remark blindsided Republican leaders and drew an uncharacteristically sombre response from President Trump.“Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore,” Trump said from the Oval Office. He didn’t stop there. Taking direct aim at Musk’s businesses, the president said: “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.”Musk, in return, accused Trump of “ingratitude” and escalated the standoff by reposting claims, without evidence, suggesting Trump’s name appeared in government documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein.While South Africa born businessman Musk’s talk of a new party has sparked a wave of enthusiasm online, he cannot run for president himself due to the constitutional requirement that the office be held only by natural-born US citizens.
