CNN's chief data analyst warns Elon Musk's third-party initiative 'looks close to dead on arrival'

WASHINGTON, DC: Elon Musk’s much-teased third-party moonshot is already being declared DOA by CNN’s chief data analyst Harry Enten.

"Geez Louise," Enten declared. "Musk's 3rd party looks close to dead on arrival."

That grim prognosis is backed by the cold, hard numbers. According to a new CNN poll, the appetite for a Musk-led revolution is practically non-existent.

It’s not just CNN calling it. Quinnipiac University also ran the numbers and found that only 17% of voters said they’d even consider supporting Musk’s new party. A whopping 77% shut the door on the idea entirely.

Elon Musk’s popularity hits rock bottom

It wasn’t always like this. Back in June 2016, Elon Musk was the golden boy of innovation and drew comparisons to Marvel's Tony Stark (aka Iron Man). “He was the most popular person in the poll,” Enten reminded viewers, citing a shiny +29 net favorability rating.

But things aren't looking great in July 2025. “Down we go!” Enten remarked as Musk’s net favorability cratered to -37. That’s a staggering 66-point free fall.

Some of the blame lands on Musk’s critics, especially Democrats who went scorched earth on him over DOGE and even tossed around Nazi comparisons.

But the tech billionaire hasn’t exactly been helping himself. After a long run of trolling liberals, he started lobbing shots at President Donald Trump and left many on the right feeling burned. Enten exclaimed, “Two thumbs down! A drop of 55 points.” That’s how far Musk’s approval with Republicans fell — from a glowing +61 to just +6.

The idea of a Musk-led third party was never convincing, and now the data is just backing up the gut instinct. Enten declared, “Musk is just the wrong guy to lead such a journey. He is, as I said at the top, one of the most unpopular political figures in the country.”

Musk officially announced the formation of the "America Party" earlier in July, saying its primary aims were to "give back freedom" and challenge the existing two-party system.

The CNN poll found just 25% support the idea of a generic third party, while a brutal 74% are opposed to it.

Elon Musk could have become a GOP power player

Nick Arama of Red State tried to cut through the noise.

“Musk did good things… He has indicated he might target certain seats. This is a bad idea that would only split votes and help the Democrats,” he said, echoing CNN commentator Scott Jennings. “What Democrats would vote for a Musk-backed candidate? He'd only pull from independents and Republicans, splitting the folks on the middle and right.”

Ironically, while the tech mogul was fantasizing about leading his own movement, he was already making real policy moves within the system. His top issue was slashing government bloat, and when Trump signed the DOGE budget cuts into law this week, it was a victory Musk should’ve owned.

The cuts save more than $9 billion, with more cost-saving measures on the way. “Trump is a truly terrible fascist when he's cutting government and his power,” Arama snarked. “Musk should have continued to help, and he could have gotten a lot more done than with a third party.”

“He could have supported GOP candidates in primaries who supported his desire for cuts. He was given a tremendous opportunity by the president to have such an important role, but he tossed it away," Arama added.

History is not on Elon Musk’s side

It's worth noting that no third-party candidate has ever won the presidency, aside from George Washington — and that was before Democrats and Republicans even existed.

In 1968, George Wallace snagged a single state as a third-party candidate. Since 1970, over 13,000 congressional elections have been held — and just 24 went to non-major party candidates. Most of those were independent candidates like Bernie Sanders and Angus King, not third-party rebels.

Even Ross Perot — a billionaire not unlike Musk — couldn’t make it stick. In 1992, Perot grabbed nearly 20% of the popular vote and even founded his own Reform Party. For a minute, it looked promising. Jesse Ventura even won Minnesota’s governorship under the Reform banner in 1998. But it fizzled by the early 2000s.

Back in 1993, Perot’s third party had half the country cheering it on — 50% supported the idea, according to a CNN poll. Meanwhile, Musk’s got a measly 17% on his side and a whopping 77% saying, “No thanks.”