The tech mogul’s political pivot sets off a billionaire brawl and a Wall Street wobble
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Musk Ditches Trump: From Power Couple to Political Rivals
Elon Musk and Donald Trump were once the unlikely darlings of a new political tech-alliance. Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, had backed Trump heavily in the last U.S. election, sinking over $260 million into a pro-Trump political action committee.
His reward? A shiny new role as co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump initiative designed to “streamline” federal operations — though critics called it little more than a PR stunt.
But the political honeymoon ended with a bang, not a whimper.
Musk’s Poll: A Party for the ‘Sensible Middle’
Musk took to X this week, asking his 220 million followers a simple question:
“Is it time for a new political party that represents the 80% in the middle?”
The poll caught fire, drawing over 5.6 million votes. With 80% in favour, Musk declared the verdict clear: America needs a new party.
He proposed the name “America Party,” positioning it as a fresh alternative to what he sees as a broken two-party system polarised by extremism.
Trump Fires Back – and So Does Musk
The rift turned bitter when Musk publicly denounced Trump’s $2.4 trillion tax-and-spend bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination.” Trump retaliated almost immediately, threatening to revoke federal contracts for Musk-owned businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX — deals worth billions in defence, energy, and aerospace.
Musk didn’t hold back.
In a series of scathing posts, he accused Trump of long-rumoured links to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and even called for his impeachment.
Market Mayhem and Political Shockwaves
As the feud played out online, the fallout hit the markets. Tesla shares tumbled 14% amid the uncertainty, while Trump Media dropped 8% before partially recovering. Investors are watching closely, especially as the potential formation of a new political party could disrupt campaign finance flows and challenge established narratives heading into the 2026 midterms.
Allies React, Critics Celebrate
Democratic lawmakers had mixed reactions. Some speculated Musk may be drifting politically after years of leaning right. But Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was more direct:
“These two huge egos were never destined to remain friends. This was long overdue.”
Others in Washington quietly welcomed the chaos, noting it may fracture the conservative base heading into key elections.
Medvedev Offers ‘Peace Deal’ – For a Price
Amid the madness, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev waded in with his own twist.
“We are ready to facilitate a peace deal between D and E,” he posted on X, offering to mediate the feud “for a reasonable fee,” joking that Starlink shares would be accepted as payment.
Is the ‘America Party’ Serious?
For now, Musk hasn’t filed any formal paperwork to establish a political party — but insiders suggest groundwork is quietly underway. Domain names, advisory groups, and donor outreach are reportedly being explored, signalling this may be more than another social media stunt.
What Musk means by “the 80% in the middle” remains to be clarified — but the buzz has started, and in an era of personality-driven politics, that might be enough to shift the conversation.
Join the Conversation – Newsfangled Wants to Hear from You
Would you vote for a Musk-backed centrist movement? Is the America Party a real third-force contender or just billionaire bluster?
Have your say in the comments below.
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