While Musk was able to pour millions of dollars into pro-Trump super PACs last year, he would not legally be able to bankroll a political party. Third parties generally have to spend a great deal of money to secure ballot access before focusing on getting their candidates elected.

Senate Republicans fear Elon Musk’s beef with President Trump could become a wild-card factor that could cost them seats in 2026 if Musk follows through on his threat to create a new political

The clash over the "big, beautiful bill" also underscores significant fractures within the GOP on key policy initiatives.