Many say Elon Musk 'wants to be the US President' as he launches party – but there's reason he can't

Elon Musk has declared that his new America Party has been "formed", seemingly taking a swipe at his one-time ally, now adversary, Donald Trump. The tech mogul floated the idea of creating a new political force on X on America's Independence Day (July 4), asking followers if he should establish a party to rival Democrats and Republicans, despite having financially supported the GOP in the previous election with a hefty sum.

The poll results showed a significant 65.4% of the 1.2 million respondents backing the formation of a new America Party, although the actual number of American citizens among them remains uncertain. The next day on July 5, Elon Musk, 54, took to X to proclaim: "By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!"

He lambasted the current political system, saying: "When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste and graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy. Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom."

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Speculation has since erupted on X over whether Musk harbours presidential ambitions.

One user emphatically posted: "ELON MUSK HAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED THE FORMATION OF 'AMERICA PARTY.' Its Time for President Elon."

Another queried the X community: "If Elon Musk ran for president, would you vote for him?"

A third sceptically remarked: "Elon Musk really thinks he can be president."

Yet, there's a significant hurdle in his path.

Why can't Elon Musk be US President?

Elon Musk, the tech mogul behind Tesla and SpaceX, is barred from running for US President due to constitutional restrictions. Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the US Constitution stipulates that only a natural-born citizen can hold the presidential office, which excludes South African-born Musk despite his US citizenship.

The clause explicitly states: "No Person except a natural born Citizen... shall be eligible to the Office of President."

What does Trump think about the issue?

Donald Trump has weighed in on the topic, dismissing any possibility of Musk taking over the presidency. Speaking in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2024, Trump addressed rumours about Musk's growing political clout.

"President Trump has ceded the presidency to Elon Musk? No, no, that's not happening," Trump declared. "But no, he's not going to be president, that I can tell you. And I'm safe. You know why he can't be? He wasn't born in this country," he continued.

Musk himself has consistently dismissed the idea of pursuing a political career, citing both the constitutional barrier and his lack of interest in holding office.

"My grandfather was American, but I was born in Africa, so I cannot be president," Musk acknowledged last year.

"But I actually don't want to be president. I want to build rockets and cars.

"I believe we want to be a spacefaring civilisation, and that's where my focus will remain."