By Washington D.C. — Tech billionaire Elon Musk has hinted at launching a new political party, marking a dramatic escalation in his public feud with former ally President Donald Trump. Once a prominent backer of Trump’s 2024 election campaign, Elon Musk now appears to be charting an independent political course, even calling for Trump’s impeachment and proposing Vice President JD Vance as his replacement.
On Thursday, Elon Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his discontent over the GOP’s controversial tax and spending legislation, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” by President Trump. The bill, which aims to overhaul federal spending and reshape tax structures, has been met with criticism for its projected $2.4 trillion increase in the national deficit. Musk described the legislation as a “disgusting abomination,” citing particularly the cuts to electric vehicle incentives that directly impact his company, Tesla.
Musk, who was until recently the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), stepped down from his position on May 30 following disagreements with the administration. Sources close to Musk say his departure was directly linked to his objections to the bill and the administration’s apparent disregard for sustainable energy initiatives.
Tensions Explode on Social Media
The rift between Musk and Trump burst into the public domain this week through a flurry of social media posts. Elon Musk claimed on X that Trump would not have won the 2024 election without his financial and technological support. He had reportedly donated over $220 million to Trump’s campaign and played a strategic advisory role behind the scenes.
In one particularly viral post, Musk launched a poll asking users whether he should form a new political party. The response was overwhelming, with millions voting in favor. While Elon Musk stopped short of confirming immediate action, the idea has sparked nationwide debate and speculation about the tech mogul’s political ambitions.
“I’m seriously considering it. The people deserve a smarter, more transparent future,” Musk wrote in a follow-up post. “We can’t keep rewarding incompetence and corruption.”
Trump Responds: “Disappointed in Elon musk”
President Trump responded publicly for the first time on Thursday during a press briefing at the Oval Office. When asked about Musk’s comments, Trump expressed shock and disappointment.
“Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore,” Trump told reporters. “He said the most beautiful things about me, and he hasn’t said bad about me personally — yet. But I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot.”
Trump defended his spending bill, calling it “a bold reform to bring prosperity to Americans,” and dismissed Musk’s criticisms as stemming from self-interest, particularly over the electric vehicle subsidy cuts.
Call for Impeachment and Accusations of Deeper Corruption
In an even more explosive move, Musk publicly agreed with a post calling for Trump’s impeachment and endorsed Vice President JD Vance as a suitable replacement. The original post, made by right-wing commentator Ian Miles Cheong, posed a provocative question: “President vs Elon. Who wins? My money’s on Elon. Trump should be impeached and JD Vance should replace him.” Musk replied simply: “Yes.”
This sharp political pivot was followed by another bombshell claim. Musk alleged that Trump’s name appears in sealed Jeffrey Epstein files, suggesting this is the real reason the documents remain classified.
“Time to drop the really big bomb: Donald Trump is in the Epstein files,” Musk wrote. “That is the real reason they have not been made public.”
The Trump administration has yet to officially respond to this accusation. However, sources within the White House say legal teams are reviewing the posts for possible defamation claims.
Federal Retaliation and Threats to Musk’s Companies
In response to Musk’s increasing defiance, President Trump reportedly threatened to revoke federal contracts awarded to Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX. These contracts have been pivotal in NASA’s ongoing reliance on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft for manned space missions.
Musk retaliated swiftly, announcing SpaceX would begin decommissioning its Dragon fleet, though the timeline remains unclear. If carried out, this move could seriously disrupt NASA’s space operations.
A Political Crossroads
Elon Musk’s political evolution from Trump supporter to vocal opponent has left both Republicans and independents scrambling to interpret what comes next. With a massive online following and a proven track record of mobilizing public opinion, Musk’s entry into the political arena — through a new party or otherwise — could disrupt the existing bipartisan structure.
Political analysts warn that this feud could reshape the Republican base and redefine tech billionaires’ roles in national governance. Whether Musk follows through with a formal party launch remains uncertain, but one thing is clear — the lines between politics, tech, and celebrity have blurred like never before.
