Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) cautioned Elon Musk on Monday against the formation of a new third party, the America Party.

DeSantis warned that the new party could increase Democrats’ chances of winning elections and hurt Musk’s political priorities.

Recommended Stories

• Hunter Biden's presence during key White House call was 'inappropriate' to top adviser: New book
• Mexican boxing legend defends son arrested by ICE: 'He is not a criminal'
• PBS expands Trump hate, turns 93% ‘negative’

“The problem is, when you do another party, especially if you’re running on some of the issues that he talks about … that would likely end up meaning the Democrats would win all the competitive Senate and House races,” the Florida governor said at the Monday press conference.

DeSantis sympathized with Musk’s frustration over the federal budget deficit, observing, “We do have a problem in the Republican Party with these D.C. congressmen. They always run saying there’s out-of-control spending, and they’re going to spend less, and they never do it.”

In the Florida governor’s view, D.C.’s incentive structures made increased budget deficits inevitable. To resolve the growing federal deficit, DeSantis said that only a constitutional amendment pushed by the states under Article V of the Constitution could impose a balanced budget on the federal government. 

DeSantis also praised Musk during the press conference, celebrating the Tesla CEO’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative. The relationship between DeSantis and Musk has a history, as the DeSantis 2024 presidential campaign had a glitch-ridden rollout on X with Elon Musk.

Others have not been as kind in criticizing Musk’s third party. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon savaged Musk as a “fool” and “buffoon,” saying his third party launch was “a non-American starting an America Party.”

ELON MUSK’S ‘AMERICA PARTY’ PROPOSAL — COULD IT WORK?

President Donald Trump has also attacked Musk’s new party, saying, “It’s ridiculous to start a third party.” Trump claimed Musk has gone “off the rails” and is causing “DISRUPTION & CHAOS” with his recent turn against the administration.

Third parties face an uphill battle in the United States, as many states have large hurdles to registering for elections. The two largest third parties, the Libertarian and Green parties, are not registered in all 50 states.