Florida Governor Ron DeSantis weighed in Monday on Elon Musk’s latest political endeavor, cautioning the billionaire entrepreneur over his plan to create a new third party known as the “America Party.”
The announcement from Musk comes amid heightened tensions between him and President Donald Trump, and his push to break what he describes as the entrenched “Republican/Democrat Uniparty.”
Speaking at a press conference, DeSantis offered measured praise for Musk while laying out concerns about the potential consequences of a third-party movement.
“I think Elon Musk has been one of the most innovative entrepreneurs, not just in our country’s history, but probably in world history,” DeSantis said on Monday.
“And I think he’s done a lot and has a lot more left in the tank, obviously.”
🚨 BREAKING: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis calls on Elon Musk to put his resources toward a BALANCED BUDGET and TERM LIMITS FOR CONGRESS amendment, says that would be FAR more successful than a new political party.
"You need to do a BALANCED BUDGET amendment to the U.S.… pic.twitter.com/bLLDmwrXcI
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 7, 2025
DeSantis noted his appreciation for Musk’s support in the 2024 election and lauded his creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, which mirrors similar budget-conscious reforms in Florida.
But the Republican governor cautioned that launching a third political party could end up benefiting Democrats in tightly contested elections.
“As it is now, even if somehow a third party could elect some people that were so-called fiscal conservatives, I don’t think it would even move the needle even if they got elected,” DeSantis stated.
“And we know that they wouldn’t get elected because it’s really one of two parties, so you’re either just taking votes away from one side or the other.”
DeSantis pointed out that the core challenge for Republicans is candidates failing to deliver on their promises once elected.
He suggested that rather than diverting resources into third-party infrastructure, Musk could drive significant national change by rallying support for structural constitutional reform.
“I don’t think just electing a few better people is going to change [the nation’s] trajectory,” DeSantis continued. “You need to do a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. You can do it through the states; you can do it through Article Five.”
“We’ve got 28 states that have approved this. There’s another four or five that are on the docket,” he added.
“Once you hit 34, then you write an amendment, and then the states are able to ratify that.”
DeSantis also encouraged Musk to push for term limits for members of Congress, arguing it would have a more lasting impact than fielding candidates under a third-party banner.
“That is achievable. And especially, if somebody as significant as Elon wants to get in the game on that, he will have a, I think, very consequential impact on that, and I think would be just the type that could bring this across the finish line,” DeSantis said.
Musk had floated the idea of launching the America Party last week, warning that he would move forward if the Trump-backed spending bill made it through Congress.
After Trump signed the bill into law Friday, Musk followed through the next day.
“When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy,” Musk said Saturday on X.
By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!
When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy.
Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom. https://t.co/9K8AD04QQN
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 5, 2025
“Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”
Trump responded bluntly when asked about the “ridiculous” development Sunday.
“The Democrats have lost their way, but it’s always been a two-party system,” Trump said.
“And I think starting a third party just adds to confusion. It really seems to have been developed for two parties.”
On Truth Social later that day, Trump said that Musk had turned into a “train wreck.”
“I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks,” Trump posted.
“The one thing Third Parties are good for is the creation of complete and total disruption and chaos.”
Meanwhile, Tesla shareholders appear to be growing uneasy. On Monday, Tesla stock dropped nearly 7%.
Tech analyst Dan Ives calling Musk’s new political direction “exactly the opposite” of what most investors had hoped for. “It’s causing exhaustion,” Ives noted.
Elon can only offer suggestions and have his team find more savings. They are unpaid consultants and can not make amendments. Elon should also be worried about his tesla company and leave the politics to politicians.
Of course not. The point is that he would put his time, energy and money to far better use pushing and funding groups to push those amendments than in a sure-to-fail 3rd party movement, which only can help Democrats, the enemies of a free and prosperous America.