On July 4th, America's Independence Day, Musk launched a vote—should a third party be established?
On July 4, 2025, on America's Independence Day, tech mogul Elon Musk posed a shocking question on the social media platform X: "Does America need a new political party?" This vote was like a bombshell, instantly igniting online discussions. Musk's open confrontation with Trump, the controversy surrounding the "Big and Beautiful" Act, and the support rate exceeding 60% have raised questions: Is this a business game or the prelude to political change? What are the hidden motives behind the vote, and what impact will it bring to the United States? Let's explore it together.
Independence Day is an important milestone in American history. On July 4, 1776, the thirteen American colonies declared independence from British rule, establishing an independent nation. This day symbolizes freedom and change, and Musk's decision to launch a vote on the 2025 Independence Day clearly aims to use this symbolic significance, calling for a "new independence" of the American political system. The question he posted on the social media platform X directly targets the core of the two-party system in the United States, attempting to provoke public reflection on the current political structure.
The background of this vote is also closely related to Musk's personal experiences and business interests. As the leader of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk has long had a profound influence on American politics. However, the "Big and Beautiful" Act introduced by the Trump government in 2025 canceled many support policies for the new energy industry, directly impacting Tesla's profitability. This is not only a policy disagreement but also the catalyst for the breakdown of Musk's relationship with Trump. The initiation of the vote is both a protest against the Trump administration and an attempt by Musk to seek a new political path.
Musk's vote content was straightforward: "Does America need a new political party? Yes/No." This question quickly attracted attention, with over 5 million users participating within 24 hours. The final results showed that 63% of participants chose "Yes," indicating that more than half of the public supports the establishment of a third party. This data reflects the dissatisfaction of the American society with the two-party system, especially in areas such as economic policy, environmental issues, and technological innovation, where the long-term deadlock between the two parties has disappointed many centrist voters.
Musk was active during the voting process. He frequently shared comments supporting the new party and proposed that the new party should be named "The American Party" to represent the interests of the majority. In one live stream, he mentioned that 80% of American voters are centrists, but due to the limitations of the two-party system, they lack real political representation. This view resonated widely, with many people believing that the emergence of a new party might break the current impasse and inject new vitality into American politics.
However, this vote has not been without controversy. Political scholars point out that the participants in the online vote are mostly Musk's fans or tech enthusiasts, and their results may not represent the opinions of all American voters. Moreover, there have been multiple attempts by third parties in American history, such as the Progressive Party or the Libertarian Party, but most have failed due to institutional constraints. Although Musk's concept of "The American Party" has received public support, whether it can be transformed into actual political power remains to be seen.
Musk's relationship with Trump was once a model of cooperation between politics and business. During the 2024 election, Musk donated nearly $300 million to Trump and used the X platform to promote his campaign. After Trump took office, he appointed Musk to lead the government efficiency reform project, removing some regulatory obstacles for Tesla and SpaceX. However, the "Big and Beautiful" Act in 2025 completely changed this situation.
The "Big and Beautiful" Act abolished tax credits for electric vehicles and zero-emission car credit systems, which severely affected Tesla. According to statistics, Tesla earned about $2.76 billion from credit trading in 2024, accounting for nearly a third of its net profit. Trump's policy shift damaged Musk's business interests and caused him to lose trust in the Trump administration. Musk publicly criticized the act as "short-sighted and anti-technology" and accused Trump of sacrificing America's future competitiveness.
Trump responded sharply. In his Independence Day speech, he subtly mocked Musk's vote as a "rich man's game" and warned that anyone challenging tradition would face consequences. Their conflict is not just personal grudges but reflects deep conflicts between the technology industry and traditional politics. Musk's vote is a response to this context.
After the vote, Musk did not stop. He gathered a small team consisting of political advisors, tech experts, and economists to discuss the specific plans for "The American Party." He proposed that the new party should focus on technological progress, environmental protection, and economic innovation, aiming to break the monopoly of the two parties on political resources. This concept received enthusiastic responses from some supporters, who believe that "The American Party" could offer a new choice for centrist voters.
However, forming a new political party is no easy task. The American political system is not friendly to third parties; the winner-takes-all electoral college system makes it difficult for new parties to gain seats in Congress. Moreover, party operations require funding, organization, and grassroots support, and while Musk has achieved remarkable success in the business field, he still lacks political experience. Historical experience shows that American third parties often fade quickly. How to transform the popularity of the vote into sustained political influence is the primary challenge Musk faces.
Despite this, Musk's actions have already created ripples in the social sphere. Whether "The American Party" ultimately takes shape or not, this vote has prompted the public to re-examine the limitations of the two-party system and has to some extent changed the direction of political discussion topics.
Musk's vote on Independence Day in 2025 is a bold question to the current state of American politics. The 63% support rate shows the public's desire for change, but the future of "The American Party" remains uncertain. Do you think America really needs a third party? Can Musk lead this change to success? Please leave your opinion in the comment section and join us in exploring the future of this topic.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836819555640327/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.