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Elon Musk’s plan to launch a new US political party could split the Republicans, Donald Trump’s allies have warned...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/06/elon-musk-america-party-split-republicans-fear-trump-allies/
US President Donald Trump has hit out at former close ally Elon Musk over the multi-billionaire's plan to launch a new political party.
"I think it's ridiculous to start a third party," said Trump, speaking to reporters on Sunday before boarding Air Force One. "It's always been a two-party system and I think starting a third party just adds to the confusion."
After teasing the idea for weeks, Musk posted on X over the weekend that he had set up the America Party to challenge the Republican and Democratic "Uniparty".
Trump and Musk were formerly close allies, with the Tesla boss leading the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), which is tasked with helping to cut federal spending.
Musk has repeatedly criticised government policies that increase the US national debt.
On Sunday, he said that while the new party may back a presidential candidate at some point "the focus for the next 12 months is on the House and the Senate."
Trump also posted on his Truth Social platform on Sunday: "I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely 'off the rails,' essentially becoming a train wreck over the past five weeks."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4n09lpz41o
This is going to make Democrats stronger surely?
@congruent said"This is going to make Democrats stronger surely?"
Elon Musk’s plan to launch a new US political party could split the Republicans, Donald Trump’s allies have warned...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/06/elon-musk-america-party-split-republicans-fear-trump-allies/
US President Donald Trump has hit out at former close ally Elon Musk over the multi-billionaire's plan to launch a new political party.
"I ...[text shortened]... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4n09lpz41o
This is going to make Democrats stronger surely?
It depends who runs and what the final platform is. Andrew Yang, a Democrat, has threatened the same. So if there is a true centrist it could split both parties.
Would be good to get away from culture was identity politics BS.
@wildgrass saidI would join a Musk-Yang party in a heartbeat.
"This is going to make Democrats stronger surely?"
It depends who runs and what the final platform is. Andrew Yang, a Democrat, has threatened the same. So if there is a true centrist it could split both parties.
Would be good to get away from culture was identity politics BS.
I'm not sure they'd work together so well. Yang's central idea was the protect those who will lost their obsolete "old" jobs, while Musk is all about advancement at all costs.
The common denominator is to always be future-looking into inevitable societal and technological change. That's at least something to build on.
Edit: At least they're both smart people, as opposed to the total dolts running both major parties today.
I think a multi-party system for the US would be a great thing.
It would balance out the extremists and force policies to be more centralist.
The good thing with that is that extremist lobby groups have less influence.
Obviously a negative side is that if you’re an extremist, you’ve less chance of your agenda succeeding.
And that can only be a good thing. Ultimately.
Nobody wants this trumpian MAGA hell of idiocy. And nobody should want my extremist communist collectivism.
What everybody needs is the best parts of both, and they are found in the centre, where most people’s politics lie.
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The existing system means it is unlikely to find enough votes to be a threat to the Democrats or Republicans.
Ballot Access Laws (Explained):
Ballot access laws determine the requirements that political parties and candidates must meet to appear on election ballots. These laws vary by state and are a major obstacle for third parties like the American Party.
Key Features:
Petition Requirements: Most states require third parties to gather a certain number of valid signatures from registered voters—often a percentage of votes cast in a prior election (e.g., 1%-5😵.
Filing Fees: Some states require payment of significant fees in addition to or instead of petitions.
Deadlines and Paperwork: Strict filing deadlines and complex paperwork can make access difficult.
Maintaining Access: Even after gaining access, parties often must receive a minimum percentage of votes (e.g., 2%–5😵 in an election to stay on the ballot in future cycles.
Presidential Elections: States often require separate petitions for presidential candidates, electors, and even vice-presidential candidates—raising the workload significantly.
Effect:
These rules strongly favor Democrats and Republicans, who are automatically placed on ballots due to prior performance. For third parties, the burden is high in terms of time, money, and organization, discouraging competition and reinforcing the two-party dominance.
- Joined
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Political Position: Left or Right? The American Party is generally considered center-right to right-leaning (more below) ....
Aims of the American Party
The American Party of the United States, a conservative political party, has its roots in the American Independent Party and was formalized in 1969. Its stated aims, based on its Permanent Principles established in 1969, include:
Promotion of Conservative Values: The party emphasizes limited government, free markets, and individual liberty, positioning itself as representing "forgotten Americans" who value patriotism and traditional values.
Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Reduction: Advocating for reduced government spending and addressing national debt.
Economic Efficiency and Tax Reform: Focusing on lowering living costs through sensible regulation (often deregulation), tax reform, and government downsizing.
Innovation and Infrastructure: Supporting technological advancement, critical supply chain independence, and infrastructure development, including pro-solar and diverse energy policies.
Government Accountability and Transparency: Emphasizing first-principles thinking in policymaking to ensure government serves the public effectively.
Patriotic Representation: Rejecting labels like "liberal" or "conservative" in favor of a platform that claims to represent those insulted as "old-fashioned" or "flag-wavers," with a focus on acknowledging a divine creator as central to the nation’s identity.
The party aims to challenge the dominance of the Republican and Democratic "uniparty" by offering an alternative that prioritizes the interests of average Americans.
Political Position: Left or Right? The American Party is generally considered center-right to right-leaning due to its focus on limited government, free markets, and conservative social values. However, it distances itself from strict ideological labels: Right-Leaning Characteristics: Its emphasis on fiscal conservatism, deregulation, and traditional values aligns with conservative ideologies. Posts on X describe it as a "center-right party" akin to the MAGA movement, aiming to influence major parties by forcing coalitions rather than aligning strictly with one side.
Distinction from Extremes: It seeks to reduce the influence of both left and right extremes, positioning itself as a pragmatic alternative. Some X posts suggest it supports policies like spending cuts and reduced defense spending, which could overlap with libertarian or populist-right ideas, but it avoids radical positions like those of the far left or far right.
Criticism of Policies: Some X users argue the party’s platform, including potential support for gun control or climate change taxes, resembles European conservative parties rather than traditional American conservatism, though these claims are not universally supported by official party statements.
Overall, the American Party leans right but aims to carve out a distinct identity by focusing on practical governance and appealing to moderates frustrated with the two-party system.Is a Third Party Constitutionally Allowed?Yes, third parties are constitutionally allowed in the United States. The U.S. Constitution does not mention political parties, as they did not exist in their modern form when it was written in 1787. Key points include:
No Constitutional Prohibition: The Constitution is silent on political parties, meaning there are no legal barriers to forming or operating third parties. The two-party system emerged due to historical practices, electoral laws, and customs, not constitutional mandates.
Electoral System Challenges: The U.S. uses a plurality voting system (winner-take-all), which, according to Duverger’s law, favors a two-party system because votes for third parties can split support from major parties, reducing their chances of winning.
Ballot Access and Structural Barriers: Third parties face practical challenges, such as stringent ballot access laws requiring signatures and fees, and the Electoral College system, which makes it difficult for third-party candidates to win presidential elections. These are not constitutional prohibitions but state-level regulations.
Historical Precedent: Third parties like the Libertarian, Green, and Constitution Parties have operated legally and occasionally elected local officials. The American Party itself has fielded candidates since the 1970s, though with limited success.
In summary, the American Party aims to promote conservative values, fiscal responsibility, and government accountability while positioning itself as a center-right alternative to the major parties. Third parties are fully constitutional, but structural and electoral challenges limit their impact in the U.S. political system.
@shavixmir saidAnything to dilute the votes of the hillbilly crackers.
I think a multi-party system for the US would be a great thing.
It would balance out the extremists and force policies to be more centralist.
The good thing with that is that extremist lobby groups have less influence.
Obviously a negative side is that if you’re an extremist, you’ve less chance of your agenda succeeding.
And that can only be a good thing. Ultimate ...[text shortened]... needs is the best parts of both, and they are found in the centre, where most people’s politics lie.
@wildgrass saidThat's the problem, isn't it? True centrists? What's that?
"This is going to make Democrats stronger surely?"
It depends who runs and what the final platform is. Andrew Yang, a Democrat, has threatened the same. So if there is a true centrist it could split both parties.
Would be good to get away from culture was identity politics BS.
The last centrist was Joe Biden and he got kicked to the curb.
And on the Red side?
Freakin' forget it. No centrists there, unless they're also liars, which is most of them.
But if we can split the red side, all the better.
@Suzianne saidObviously a centrist wouldn't be blue or red.
That's the problem, isn't it? True centrists? What's that?
The last centrist was Joe Biden and he got kicked to the curb.
And on the Red side?
Freakin' forget it. No centrists there, unless they're also liars, which is most of them.
But if we can split the red side, all the better.
Maybe tom hanks, he's at least recognizable.
@congruent saidGiven the low voter turn out in the previous election, it’s clear that neither of the two traditional parties can claim to represent a majority of the American public’s interests. Splitting the vote is not a bad thing in principle, provided that all parties are willing to work together to form a consensus. Coalition governments are, after all, the rule rather than the exception in most European democracies.
Elon Musk’s plan to launch a new US political party could split the Republicans, Donald Trump’s allies have warned...
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/06/elon-musk-america-party-split-republicans-fear-trump-allies/
US President Donald Trump has hit out at former close ally Elon Musk over the multi-billionaire's plan to launch a new political party.
"I ...[text shortened]... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4n09lpz41o
This is going to make Democrats stronger surely?
@moonbus saidThis is what I was talking about.
Given the low voter turn out in the previous election, it’s clear that neither of the two traditional parties can claim to represent a majority of the American public’s interests. Splitting the vote is not a bad thing in principle, provided that all parties are willing to work together to form a consensus. Coalition governments are, after all, the rule rather than the exception in most European democracies.
Centrists believe in making deals with the other side, and this defines a lot of Joe Biden's career. Expecting some disagreement, while also expecting some agreement, was the way laws were made in the last half of the 20th century. Not EVERYone got what they wanted, but now, in this Era of the Child, it has turned into all or nothing at all. Back then, the losers of an election did not have to go to the depths of despair because they lost, because there was still some measure of cooperation to get things done. If you don't agree with Trump, you must be politically neutered. Look what happened to Hillary, Kamala and Biden. No one crosses the aisle, what they do instead is utterly destroy you. Nothing else is good enough, but what we end up with is this latest abomination of a bill that is now threatening to destroy people in Congress.