Musk spent over 200 million dollars supporting Trump, only to be mocked as "ignorant of politics." Is this a farce or a bigger ambition hidden behind it? From controlling the X platform to turning against Trump and founding the "America Party," Musk's political path seems like a game full of suspense. Some laugh at his naivety, while others suspect his cunning. Is he a business magnate mistakenly entering the political quagmire, or is he already well-planned? This article will break down Musk's political moves and see what the next act of this play will be.
Musk is not an ordinary businessman; he has accumulated immense wealth and influence through Tesla and SpaceX. As a tech giant, he knows that in American politics, business and policy are inseparable. To protect and even expand his interests, money and innovation alone are not enough; political voice is also needed. Therefore, he turned his attention to the political stage, hoping to influence policies to safeguard his business empire.
His first step was practical: In 2022, he acquired Twitter, later renamed it X. This was not a sudden whim but rather seizing the trend of public opinion. After privatizing X, Musk could speak more freely, promote his own ideas, and gather a group of loyal followers. It was like getting a megaphone, paving the way for his later political actions.
In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Musk made a big bet. He spent over 250 million dollars supporting Trump, investing in campaign ads and winning swing states. This move indeed stabilized Trump's position, especially in areas where lower-income voters were concentrated. These people are emotional and easy to mobilize; Musk recognized their potential and used Trump's extreme fan base to boost himself.
But this was not mindless spending. Musk didn't support Trump out of personal adoration but because of clear calculations: Trump's policy preferences—tax cuts and deregulation—were beneficial to Musk's business empire. He wanted to ride on this wave, tying his interests to the Republican Party's ship.
Unfortunately, the show didn't last long. In early 2025, the Trump administration introduced the "Big and Beautiful Act," focusing on large-scale tax cuts and deregulation to stimulate the economy. Musk, however, refused to accept it. He publicly criticized the bill on X, saying it would cause national debt to spiral out of control and lead to an economic collapse. Trump was no pushover and directly retorted, "Musk is just a businessman, don't pretend to be a politician." Their disputes escalated, eventually leading to a complete breakdown.
This move made many laugh, saying Musk spent 200 million dollars for a lesson. But is it really that simple? Upon closer inspection, this looks more like a calculated move by Musk. His split with Trump was not out of anger but to break free from the subordinate role, get rid of Trump's spotlight, and lay the groundwork for his next step.
After the split, Musk wasn't idle. He posted videos on X, announcing the establishment of the "America Party," aiming directly at the 2026 midterm elections. He selected several key districts and supported candidates he favored. This wasn't just a casual game; although the "America Party" was small, it won a few seats in the election. Although the number of seats was small, these people could play a crucial role when there was a deadlock in Congress. Both parties began to be wary of this new player, and Musk's influence quietly seeped into the core of power.
This move was very pragmatic. Musk didn't expect to overturn the two-party system overnight. He aimed for a leveraged effect—using a small amount of key forces to move a large situation. The X platform became his propaganda base, and his commercial resources were the backing. He carved out a path for himself.
Of course, Musk's political path is not easy. Democrats and Republicans are not easy to deal with; they have deep roots and mature operating systems. A new "America Party" wanting to take a slice of the cake would inevitably face joint pressure. The media and the public were not idle either; some said he was overestimating himself, while others questioned him for applying business methods to politics, which would eventually lead to failure.
These pressures are real. Musk can open up space with money and personal charm, but politics is not a solo game. He has to face the fickle nature of voters, the encirclement from opponents, and the complexity of policy games. Even with resources and insight, how far he can go is uncertain.
Whether Musk's political strategy works or not, the outside world has polarized views. Supporters believe every move he makes is precisely calculated, first using Trump to rise, then abandoning him to establish his own independent party, which is a high-level move. Critics, however, say he overestimates himself, having spent 200 million dollars without gaining long-term allies, but instead creating numerous enemies. Politics is much deeper than he imagined.
Objectively speaking, Musk does have unique strengths. He seized the pain points of American politics—the voters' fatigue with the two-party system and their desire for new voices. He uses commercial logic to play politics, which is efficient and fast, but may easily overlook the undercurrents and social customs of politics. Whether this chess game is a win or loss, it's too early to conclude now.
No matter whether Musk succeeds or not, he has already stirred up the pool of American politics. The emergence of the "America Party" adds a variable to the two-party system. Even if it's just a minor player, it may influence the balance at critical moments. More importantly, Musk has proven that businessmen can play politics, and do it with flair. This may inspire more business tycoons to step onto the stage, and the future American political landscape may become more lively and complex.
Musk spent 200 million dollars supporting Trump only to turn into enemies. Is it a joke of a political novice or a well-planned opening move? Can the "America Party" break through the gap between the two parties? Will his ambitions change American politics, or will they eventually be swallowed by reality? What do you think about this game? Welcome to leave a comment and share your thoughts, discussing the next move of this game.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836972756818948/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.