Elon Musk just founded the "America Party", some say 80% of Americans will join, is it true or false?
Elon Musk, a legendary figure in technology and business, announced the establishment of the "America Party" in 2025, claiming to represent 80% of the centrist voters and break the deadlock of the U.S. two-party system. This news quickly sparked heated discussions, with some optimists predicting that 80% of Americans would join due to the support rate data. However, is this number an indicator of public opinion or an exaggerated promotion? Can the "America Party" shake the deeply rooted political structure?
Elon Musk is known for Tesla and SpaceX, and his innovations have changed the automotive and aerospace industries. After acquiring Twitter (later renamed X) in 2022, he frequently expressed his views through social media, further expanding his influence. In 2024, he supported Trump's presidential campaign and served as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, accumulating political capital. In June 2025, he announced the establishment of the "America Party" in Washington, aiming to solve government debt and inefficiency issues, and attract centrist voters who are disappointed with the two parties. He has repeatedly voted on X, showing that 80% of participants support the new party's ideas, and this data has become the source of the "America Party's" public support base.
The statement "80% of Americans will join" originates from Musk's voting and survey on X. He once asked whether a new party representing the center was needed, and 80% of respondents agreed; after its establishment, 65% of people supported the "America Party" to reshape politics. Supporters believe this reflects the public's dissatisfaction with the two-party system. However, analysis points out that these data mainly come from Musk's fan group, which may not represent all Americans. X users are mostly young and tech-oriented, resulting in significant sample bias. Moreover, expressing support differs from actual joining, making the prediction of 80% joining seem overly optimistic.
The "America Party" has proposed clear policy platforms: cutting government spending, using technology to optimize public services, and simplifying regulations. For example, Musk advocates using AI to improve the tax system and reduce administrative burdens. These ideas attract tech professionals and young people. The website received over ten million visits within days, and the transparent mode of online live-streaming party meetings also won favor. However, specific implementation details remain unclear, and how to balance technological ideals with political reality remains unknown.
The U.S. two-party system has a long history, with the Democratic and Republican parties controlling political resources, making it difficult for third-party forces to rise. Historically, Ross Perot ran as an independent candidate in 1992 and received 19% of the votes, but did not shake the foundation of the two parties. The challenges faced by the "America Party" include voter inertia, controversies over campaign fund transparency, and lack of internal cohesion. In the 2026 midterm elections, the "America Party" only obtained a few seats, indicating that it is unlikely to become mainstream in the short term.
Musk stated he would not run for office himself, but rather build a platform to support candidates. He uses his personal wealth and influence to promote the "America Party," such as donating hundreds of millions of dollars to support independent candidates in the 2028 presidential election. Although he did not win, his vote share exceeded expectations, showing his potential influence. In the long term, the "America Party" may promote discussions about the drawbacks of the two-party system and even pave the way for tech elites to participate in politics. However, to become a new force, it needs to overcome multiple challenges, including organization and policy implementation.
The U.S. population is about 330 million. If 80% join, that would be 264 million people. However, the number of voters in the 2020 presidential election was only 159 million, indicating that actual political participation is far lower than this. Musk's 65%-80% support rate is based on the X platform, which has limited coverage, and the voting is mostly an expression of intent, not a commitment to action. Political scientists point out that third-party parties need at least 30%-40% stable support to be competitive, and the "America Party" is far from meeting this threshold.
After the establishment of the "America Party," the media has given mixed reviews. The New York Times believes it may change the landscape, while the Washington Post questions Musk's representativeness. Both parties responded quickly, with the Democrats calling it a "gimmick" and the Republicans emphasizing that politics requires experience. Among the public, supporters are mostly those dissatisfied with the status quo, while opponents worry about Musk's wealth affecting democratic fairness.
The "America Party" is like a political experiment, carrying Musk's ambition and the expectations of the people. However, whether the bold claim of 80% joining can become true remains a mystery. Do you think the "America Party" will be a fleeting phenomenon or will it change the American political ecology? Welcome to leave comments and share your opinions, jointly exploring the future development of this topic.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836974314723336/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.