DeSantis is stepping up to defend President Trump.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sounded the alarm this week, warning that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s rumored third party — the so-called “America Party” — could fracture the conservative base and help Democrats seize control of Congress.
At a press event in Jacksonville, DeSantis called for sweeping reform in Washington but made clear that creating a third party would do more harm than good.
“Washington needs a total overhaul, no question,” DeSantis said. “But splitting the vote is how we lose to the Left.”
Musk’s proposed “America Party” aims to tackle government waste and reckless spending — concerns shared by many conservatives. But DeSantis cautioned that if Musk funds candidates outside the Republican Party in key swing races, it could hand power right back to the Democrats.
“If he backs third-party candidates in competitive Senate or House races, that all but guarantees Democrats take control,” DeSantis warned. “As a lifelong Republican, I don’t want to see that happen.”
The governor praised Musk as a visionary — pointing to his leadership of Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, and X — and acknowledged his support for President Donald Trump and the GOP’s efforts to drain the swamp. But DeSantis urged the tech mogul to invest his energy into real constitutional reform — not political disruption.
“Musk could be a game-changer by backing term limits and a balanced budget amendment,” DeSantis said. “Those reforms are within reach — and they don’t require Congress.”
He cited Article V of the Constitution, which allows states to force amendments without Washington’s approval — a grassroots solution gaining traction in red states across the country.
“The states have already petitioned Congress for a balanced budget amendment. If Musk joins that fight, he could help save this country from financial collapse.”
Musk’s political announcement came after President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4 — a landmark legislative package passed by Republicans. However, critics say it adds $3.9 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. That figure, reported by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, enraged Musk, who said it “makes a mockery” of his work leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump.
“He’s right to be angry about the debt,” DeSantis said. “But the solution isn’t to split the conservative movement. It’s to fix Washington from within.”
As 2026 midterms loom, DeSantis warned that conservative unity will be essential to keeping America on the right track.
“Let’s not give the Democrats what they couldn’t win on their own. Let’s stand together — and fix this country the right way.”