Washington, July 8 -- Tech billionaire Elon Musk has escalated his feud with US President Donald Trump, announcing the formation of a new political group called the "America Party" and intensifying criticism over Trump's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, The Hill reported.

The fallout between the two deepened after Republicans passed a major policy bill supported by Trump, prompting Musk to declare his intention to back primary challengers against GOP members who voted for it. In response, Trump dismissed Musk's new party as "ridiculous" and labeled him a "train wreck," criticizing the effort as one doomed to fail in the US political system.

"He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succe...