United States president Donald Trump on Sunday called Elon Musk’s move to form a new political party as “ridiculous” and claimed that his former aide has gone “completely off the rails”. He made the remarks to reporters before boarding Air Force One.
"I think it's ridiculous to start a third party. We have a tremendous success with the Republican Party. The Democrats have lost their way, but it's always been a two-party system, and I think starting a third party just adds to confusion," Trump said.
"It really seems to have been developed for two parties. Third parties have never worked, so he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous."
Trump later released a statement on his Truth social platform claiming that "I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely 'off the rails,' essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks."
Musk had announced on Saturday that he is forming the “America Party” to challenge the Republican and Democratic "Uniparty".
Musk had earlier served as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency when Trump had come to power. "What the heck was the point of @DOGE if he’s just going to increase the debt by $5 trillion??" Musk wrote on X on Sunday, referring to the government downsizing agency he briefly led.
Musk has claimed that his party would challenge the Republican lawmakers in next year's midterm to unseat Republican lawmakers in Congress who backed the sweeping measure known as the "big, beautiful bill."
Trump also accused Musk of seeking improper influence by asking him to nominate his friend, Jared Isaacman, to be NASA administrator. After Musk left his position, Isaacman’s nomination was also withdrawn.
Musk was the largest individual donor to Trump’s presidential campaign in 2024.
