Third Party Ambitions Connect Musk, Yang, Libertarians/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Elon Musk and Andrew Yang have connected over launching a new third party, as Musk pursues his America Party plans. Yang’s Forward Party and other groups may join forces with Musk, despite massive legal and logistical hurdles. Political insiders say Musk’s money and influence could transform the U.S. political landscape—but only if he navigates complex ballot laws.
Quick Look
- Who? Elon Musk, Andrew Yang, Libertarian Party, No Labels
- What? Conversations and alliances forming around Musk’s America Party
- Why? To challenge America’s two-party system and launch a new political movement
- Hurdles? Ballot access laws, partisan resistance, organizational demands
- Allies? Yang’s Forward Party, Libertarians, independent consultants
Elon Musk and Andrew Yang Discuss Third-Party Politics as America Party Plans Take Shape
Deep Look
Elon Musk’s ambitious effort to launch a new political party has sparked fresh conversations with Andrew Yang, the former Democratic presidential candidate and founder of the Forward Party. The two high-profile entrepreneurs have connected as Musk works behind the scenes to establish his “America Party,” aiming to disrupt the U.S. two-party system.
Yang confirmed in interviews with POLITICO and Axios that he has been “in touch” with Musk and his team.
“I’m excited for anyone who wants to move on from the duopoly,” Yang said. “And I’m happy to help give someone a sense of what the path looks like.”
Though Yang declined to detail the timing or substance of their talks, he has stepped up his public support for Musk’s political endeavors. On Sunday, Yang posted on X:
“In a feud between the guy who enabled space rockets and electric cars and the guy who branded steaks and a fake university, I’d bet on the former.”
Musk’s Third-Party Vision Faces Major Hurdles
Musk, who dramatically broke with President Donald Trump over fiscal policy, announced plans for the America Party over the weekend. He’s reportedly frustrated by what he describes as Trump’s “crushingly unsustainable” domestic spending plans.
Yet forming a viable third party in the United States is notoriously difficult. It requires navigating a labyrinth of state-specific ballot access laws, securing voter signatures, and building a national organization — all while contending with legal challenges from the two dominant parties.
Yang’s Forward Party, founded after his failed 2021 New York City mayoral bid, has secured ballot access in some states and aims to expand nationwide. He sees Musk as a potential ally in broadening political choices for voters disillusioned with Republicans and Democrats alike.
“Elon has a very, very significant following and megaphone,” Yang said last month. “You can see that with the number of people who voted on his post about starting a third party.”
Allies and Potential Partners Emerge
The billionaire’s announcement has sparked interest from other third-party figures. The Libertarian Party is lobbying Musk directly via social media, urging him to join forces on shared goals like fiscal restraint and government reform.
“Perhaps there is grounds for a coalition between the Libertarians and the America Party,” Libertarian Party chair Steven Nekhaila said, highlighting the GOP’s “proven” failure to uphold small-government principles.
Anthony Scaramucci, a former Trump aide turned Kamala Harris surrogate, has also expressed interest in collaborating with Musk, as has businessman Mark Cuban. Meanwhile, No Labels — which explored running an independent presidential candidate in 2024 — is reportedly intrigued by Musk’s new effort to reshape Congress.
Musk and Yang are not strangers; Musk endorsed Yang’s 2020 presidential bid, admiring Yang’s push for universal basic income.
Third Party Challenges Remain Daunting
While Musk’s wealth could fund a formidable political effort, experts warn that state laws often create steep barriers for new parties. Oliver Hall of the Center for Competitive Democracy notes that partisan election officials can exploit technicalities — even minor paperwork errors — to keep new candidates off the ballot.
“If the partisan election officials are not disposed to want you on the ballot, then they can enforce the laws in somewhat arbitrary ways,” Hall said, citing a lawsuit against independent candidate Cornel West in 2024 over an unstapled document.
Richard Winger, a longtime ballot access expert, adds that in some states, it’s harder for new parties to run congressional candidates than to secure a spot in a presidential race.
Nevertheless, political consultants believe Musk’s name recognition, social media reach, and deep pockets give him advantages that few outsiders have ever wielded.
“He could make a third-party effort immediately viable, and that changes the game,” said Ron Nielson, former manager of Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson’s 2016 campaign.
Yet as one veteran ballot access consultant warned:
“I guarantee you every grifter in the petitioning world is already trying to get their claws into Musk. He needs the pros, not the bros.”
Whether Musk’s America Party can move from social media buzz to real ballots — and real votes — remains the million-dollar question.
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