Elon Musk’s ‘America Party’ Has a Long Way to Go Before Becoming a Real Political Force

The former White House adviser announced his new party on social media after publicly feuding with the president. That doesn’t make it an actual political party.

Elon Musk
Alex Brandon/AP

Despite Elon Musk’s announcement this weekend that “the America Party is formed,” the road to becoming a viable third party in American politics is arduous and expensive — even for a billionaire.

Plus, after President Donald Trump fired the former chair of the Federal Election Commission, there’s not enough FEC commissioners to issue the necessary advisory opinion to approve a new national political party and allow it access to higher contribution limits.

The FEC hasn’t had enough members for critical duties since May and Trump still hasn’t nominated new members to the commission.