Here's what it would take for Elon Musk to launch a third-party effort to represent what he called "the 80% in the middle."

Musk described his new party on his platform X as tech-centric, budget-conscious, pro-energy and centrist, with the goal of drawing both disaffected Democrats and Republicans. Musk has criticized the tax-cut bill, which is forecast to add about $3.4 trillion to the United States' debt.

Elon Musk has the money and, at least for the moment, the motivation to steer America's politics away from its dominant two parties. But long-standing obstacles to third parties, as well as Musk's own unique profile,