US President Donald Trump fires back at ‘trainwreck’ Elon Musk after ‘America Party’ announcement

US President Donald Trump has hit back at Elon Musk after the tech billionaire revealed plans to launch a new political force, the so-called America Party.
The blistering response, delivered via Mr Trump’s Truth Social account, marks a dramatic rupture in what was once considered a mutually respectful relationship between the two influential figures.
In a fiery post, Mr Trump said he was “saddened” to see the Tesla CEO “go completely off the rails”, branding him a “trainwreck”.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States - The System seems not designed for them,” the US President wrote.
“The one thing Third Parties are good for is the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS, and we have enough of that with the Radical Left Democrats, who have lost their confidence and their minds!”
Mr Trump also took aim at Mr Musk’s electric vehicle agenda, highlighting that major EV mandates were eliminated as part of the Big Beautiful Bill, which passed through US Congress on Friday.
“Republicans, on the other hand, are a smooth running ‘machine,’ that just passed the biggest Bill of its kind in the History of our Country,” the US President said, adding that “it is a Great Bill, but unfortunately for Elon, it eliminates the ridiculous Electric Vehicle (EV) Mandate, which would have forced everyone to buy an Electric Car in a short period of time.”
Mr Trump went onto claim that his opposition to the EV mandate has been known for years, and that Mr Musk had previously expressed no objection.
“People are now allowed to buy whatever they want - Gasoline Powered, Hybrids (which are doing very well), or New Technologies as they come about - No more EV Mandate,” he said.
“I have campaigned on this for two years and, quite honestly, when Elon gave me his total and unquestioned Endorsement, I asked him whether or not he knew that I was going to terminate the EV Mandate - It was in every speech I made, and in every conversation I had. He said he had no problems with that - I was very surprised!”
Mr Trump concluded the post with a striking allegation regarding Mr Musk’s influence over government agencies, suggesting the billionaire had attempted to install a close friend at the helm of NASA.
“Additionally, Elon asked that one of his close friends run NASA and, while I thought his friend was very good, I was surprised to learn that he was a blue blooded Democrat, who had never contributed to a Republican before.
“Elon probably was, also. I also thought it inappropriate that a very close friend of Elon, who was in the Space Business, run NASA, when NASA is such a big part of Elon’s corporate life. My Number One charge is to protect the American Public!”
The lengthy post follows a week-long public feud between Mr Trump and Mr Musk, centred on the passage of the controversial tax and spending bill.
The nearly 900-page legislation was narrowly approved by the Senate on Thursday and signed into law by Mr Trump on Friday, coinciding with the July 4 Independence Day holiday.
Mr Musk had previously lobbied Republican lawmakers to vote against the bill, describing it as “utterly insane and destructive.”
The legislation is expected to add an estimated $US3.4 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade.
“This is debt slavery,” Mr Musk wrote last week, warning that Republican members who supported the bill would face primary challenges, with his financial and political backing.
“They will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth,” he posted.
“Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people.”
On Friday, ahead of the vote, Musk posed a question to his 180 million followers on X: “Should we create the America Party?”
The poll drew millions of responses, with a significant majority in favour. He suggested the party could initially focus its efforts on two or three Senate races and up to ten House districts.