Musk suggests forming a party to represent ‘80% in the middle’
In a move that stirred widespread speculation, tech mogul Elon Musk on Thursday floated the idea of launching a new political party aimed at representing the “80% in the middle” of the American electorate. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO posted a poll on X (formerly Twitter), asking:
“Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?”
The post quickly went viral, drawing millions of views and reigniting debate over Musk’s potential political ambitions.
Social media reacts with satire, skepticism, and support
Responses to Musk’s post ranged from humorous memes to serious political commentary. While some users shared AI-generated images of Musk crying or mocked his political aspirations, others engaged in policy-related critiques.
One user dismissed the need for a new party entirely, writing, “We don’t need a new party in the middle. The Republicans and Democrats are not that far apart anyway. Just join the Libertarian Party. It already exists. Maybe you can actually help get some of them into Congress.”
Another commented pointedly, “Elon was never MAGA,” referring to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
Meanwhile, one user called for reconciliation between Musk and Trump, urging, “We need both of you, running smoothly down the same track to save this country. You’re the only two people that I feel confident with being able to get this done!”
Trump demands to end government subsidies for Musk’s companies
The online poll followed a sharp statement by U.S. President Donald Trump on his platform, Truth Social. The president called for terminating all federal contracts and subsidies involving Musk’s companies.
“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!” Trump wrote.
The message marked a notable escalation in tensions between the two influential figures.
Musk responds with threat to halt SpaceX missions
Musk swiftly responded on X, saying his aerospace company SpaceX would begin dismantling its Dragon spacecraft program in light of Trump’s remarks.
“In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.”
It remains unclear whether Musk’s statement was serious or symbolic. However, the response underscored the seriousness of the rift between the billionaire entrepreneur and the president.
Musk has previously criticized Trump’s economic policies
This is not the first time Musk has publicly criticized Trump. Earlier in the year, Musk condemned the former president’s tax and spending strategies, calling them a:
“disgusting abomination.”
His comments reflected growing ideological distance from Trump, despite their prior alignment on several economic and regulatory issues.
Is Musk preparing for a political debut?
Although Musk has never officially entered the political arena, Thursday’s poll adds to growing speculation about his future ambitions. With increasing frequency, he has waded into U.S. policy debates, and his massive platform on X gives him unmatched reach in shaping public discourse.
Whether his suggestion of a new political party leads to formal political participation—or simply serves as a critique of the two-party system—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the Trump-Musk alliance is over, and a new chapter in U.S. politics may be unfolding.
