By Jonah Oppenheimer
TL;DR: Elon Musk has reignited his war of words with Donald Trump—again. This time, he’s not just criticizing Trump’s mega-tax-and-spend measure, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBBA); he’s promising to back primary challengers and launch a new political party, the “America Party”—the moment the bill passes. The stakes aren’t just fiscal; this showdown could reshape Republican politics and the power of tech moguls in Washington.
Why Musk Is Raising the Alarm on the Spending Bill
What is OBBBA? The One Big Beautiful Bill is Trump’s sweeping legislative package that:
Extends the 2017 tax cutsBoosts military and border enforcementSlashes Medicaid, SNAP, and renewable energy subsidiesIncreases the debt ceiling by a staggering ~$4–5 trillion over 10 years.
According to the CBO, the bill could add $2.4–$3.3 trillion to the national debt through 2034—a red flag for Musk’s cost-cutting ethos.
What the “Big, Beautiful Bill” Means for Musk’s Businesses
Musk’s anger isn’t only ideological—it’s practical:
The bill eliminates key green-energy tax credits for solar, storage, and EVsJPMorgan estimates Tesla alone could lose $1.2 billion in incentives
That clarity is what drove his decision to go public again, warning that these cuts threaten “millions of jobs” and might undermine U.S. competitiveness.
Musk’s Political Response: Primaries and the “America Party”
On Monday, as lawmakers in the Senate debated Trump’s sweeping spending bill, Elon Musk sounded the alarm on his platform, X.
“Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame… And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”
He’s signaled intentions to financially support challengers like Rep. Thomas Massie and others opposed to the bill.
Forming the America Party
“If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day,” Musk declared.
Dubbed the “PORKY PIG PARTY”, he describes it as a needed counterweight to the entrenched “Democrat-Republican uniparty.”
Trump vs. Musk: Bigger Than Finance
This clash marks a dramatic reversal in their relationship:
Musk donated ~$277–300 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign and served in DOGE.He later called the OBBBA a “disgusting abomination” and cut ties.Their feud escalated with Musk alleging Trump–Epstein ties; Trump responded by threatening to rescind SpaceX contracts.Musk later partially backed down—deleting some tweets—but still insists on forming a new party.
Despite Musk’s wealth and influence, political analysts warn a third party faces steep odds, while Trump retains firm control over the GOP.
Why This Rivalry Matters
Fiscal Policy: If OBBBA passes, it could reshape domestic spending, debt trajectories, and the future of clean energy.Political Precedent: Musk challenging incumbents and spending on primaries signals a growing trend of billionaires cashing in on elections.Party Dynamics: The threat of the America Party could tip future Republican primaries, especially for fiscally conservative lawmakers.Tech Influence: This confrontation underscores the rising muscle of Silicon Valley in Washington policy-making.
What’s Next: Congress, Ballots, and Beyond
Senate vote expected this week, with House passage uncertain; final deadline is July 4.Funding: Musk has signaled he’ll pour money into primary efforts—how much remains to be seen.Timing: The America Party launch is contingent only if OBBBA becomes law.Political fallout: Legislators who flip could face challenger attacks as early as the 2026 primaries.