U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at Tesla CEO Elon Musk, calling him a “train wreck” after Musk announced the formation of a new political group, the “America Party.” The sharp criticism marks a dramatic rift between the former allies.

In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely off the rails, essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks. He even wants to start a third political party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States.”

Trump claimed that third parties only cause “disruption and chaos,” something he says the country already has enough of under the Democratic leadership. Praising the Republican Party as a “smooth-running machine,” Trump also touted his recent legislative victory—what he dubbed his “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

The legislation, Trump said, repeals the “ridiculous Electric Vehicle (EV) Mandate,” allowing Americans the freedom to choose between gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrids, or future technologies. He noted that Musk previously endorsed him, despite knowing Trump’s strong opposition to the EV mandate.

Trump also revealed that Musk had recommended a close friend to lead NASA, a move he ultimately rejected due to concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given Musk’s business ties to space exploration.

Meanwhile, Musk accused both major political parties of fueling government waste and corruption. “This is not democracy — it’s a one-party system in disguise,” Musk wrote. “The America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.”

The clash between Trump and Musk sets up a high-stakes confrontation ahead of the 2024 U.S. elections, highlighting growing fractures within conservative circles.