Elon Musk, the billionaire chief executive of Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) has officially launched a new political movement – the America Party – in a dramatic shift that’s rattling investors and reigniting tensions with President Donald Trump.
The announcement, made on Musk’s social platform X, follows his vocal opposition to Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, which Musk condemned as “bankrupting our country with waste & graft”.
The timing couldn’t be more precarious. Tesla is grappling with slowing EV demand, an aging product lineup, and delays in its AI and robotaxi initiatives.
Musk’s renewed political ambitions have sparked fears that his attention is drifting from the automaker’s mounting challenges.
Tesla stock plunged more than 7% following the announcement, wiping out roughly $71 billion in market value on Monday.
Tesla investors are becoming more anxious
Investor sentiment has soured sharply. Many had welcomed Musk’s earlier commitment to remain Tesla’s CEO for another five years, hoping he would refocus on operational execution.
Instead, the launch of the America Party signals a deeper entrenchment in political activism.
Neil Wilson, strategist at Saxo Markets, summed up the mood: “Investors are worried about two things—Trump’s retaliation and a distracted Musk”.
Trump has already threatened to cut federal subsidies and contracts to Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX.
Given Tesla’s historical reliance on government incentives, such retaliation could severely impact its competitiveness.
The feud has already escalated to personal attacks, with Trump calling Musk a “train wreck” and even suggesting deportation.
Meanwhile, TSLA board has remained largely silent. Earlier reports hinted at internal discussions about succession planning, but no formal moves have been made.
Analysts now argue that the board must clarify whether Musk’s political involvement is compatible with his CEO responsibilities.
The absence of a strong governance response is fueling speculation about the board’s willingness, or ability to rein in Musk’s ambitions.
TSLA shareholders don’t want Musk to campaign
Musk’s sprawling empire already includes Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, X, and now the America Party.
Critics have long questioned whether he can effectively lead so many ventures simultaneously.
His foray into politics only intensifies those concerns. The America Party, according to Musk, aims to disrupt the “uniparty system” by targeting swing districts and vulnerable Senate seats in the 2026 midterms.
While third-party movements rarely succeed in US politics, Musk’s deep pockets and massive online following could make this one different.
Still, the cost may be steep. Tesla’s operational issues, from manufacturing bottlenecks to competitive pressure, require focused leadership.
As Wedbush’s Dan Ives put it, “There’s a sense of exhaustion among Tesla investors. They want Musk to lead, not campaign.”
Tesla stock outlook
Musk’s political pivot marks a defining moment for Tesla stock.
The America Party may reshape US politics, but it also risks reshaping investor confidence in Musk’s leadership.
Granted that the billionaire has a unique level of influence and control over Tesla.
He’s not just a CEO; he is the face and visionary behind the company, with a substantial ownership stake.
Still, a strong case can be made that Musk’s continued involvement in politics, which investors read as a major distraction, could eventually result in his ouster from the EV behemoth as its chief executive.
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