Edith Hejberg
Musk and Trump’s political bromance collapsed in June, when Musk slammed Trump’s tax and spending bill as “a disgusting abomination.”
Elon Musk has reportedly scrapped his bold ambition to launch a third political party, the “America Party,” in the lead-up to the 2028 U.S. presidential election.
The move marks a major pivot from his earlier vow to shake up the political establishment after a public fallout with Donald Trump.
From Opposition to Endorsement?
Instead of continuing down the independent path, Musk now appears to be lining up behind Vice President JD Vance as a potential successor to Trump.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Musk believes backing Vance may be the smarter route to preserving ties with influential Republicans and protecting his business interests.
A Brief But Explosive Trump-Musk Spat
Musk and Trump’s political bromance collapsed in June, when Musk slammed Trump’s tax and spending bill as “a disgusting abomination.”
He also stirred controversy by accusing Trump of appearing in the Jeffrey Epstein files, an allegation that triggered a wave of political backlash.
JD Vance Urges Musk to “Cool Down”
Vice President JD Vance stepped in to play peacemaker, publicly advising Musk to mend fences. “My hope is that it just kinda cools down a bit,” he told The Gateway Pundit, suggesting it was a “mistake” for Musk to break ranks.
He also warned that Musk wouldn’t be welcomed back by the political left.
Tech Titans Rally Behind Vance
Musk wouldn’t be alone in backing Vance. Other prominent tech figures, including Roku CEO Anthony Wood and Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel, have already signalled their support.
The growing financial backing could give Vance serious momentum heading into 2028.
Silence Surrounds the ‘America Party’
After Musk’s grand announcement of his third-party venture in July, enthusiasm among libertarian leaders quickly faded.
Libertarian National Committee Chair Steven Nekhaila said, “It’s almost an eerie silence,” noting a total lack of activity at any level.
Strategic Retreat or Tactical Pivot?
Musk’s decision appears less about surrender and more about strategy.
With Trump still dominating the Republican base and Vance positioning himself as heir apparent, Musk may be placing a calculated bet on a more traditional path to political influence.
Business First: Tesla Takes a Hit
Musk’s re-entry into the business world comes as Tesla grapples with falling stock prices, down 18% this year, following its worst quarterly sales figures in over a decade.
He’s also bracing for “a few rough quarters,” blaming the lack of government support for EVs under Trump’s policies.
Musk Fires Back at Media Coverage
In response to reports about his political manoeuvring, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to cast doubt on the Wall Street Journal’s credibility.
“Nothing [The Wall Street Journal] says should ever be thought of as true,” he wrote, without addressing the claims directly.
2028: A Tech-Backed Republican Future?
As the 2028 race begins to take shape, the potential alignment between Elon Musk and JD Vance could signal a deeper fusion of tech wealth and conservative politics.
Whether Musk’s backing will translate into real political power remains to be seen.
