July 6, 2025: In a big twist in US politics, tech billionaire Elon Musk has officially registered a new political outfit — The America Party. Interestingly, Indian-origin Vaibhav Taneja, Tesla’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has been named the treasurer and custodian of records in the party’s official filings.
The announcement comes after Musk’s fallout with former US President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, particularly over what he mockingly called the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” With this move, Musk seems determined to challenge the traditional two-party system in America.
Vaibhav Taneja – The Man Behind the Finances
According to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) documents — now going viral on social media — the America Party lists Elon Musk as the sole candidate, headquartered at 1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne, California. Vaibhav Taneja is mentioned as the treasurer with a Texas-based address.
For those who may not know, Vaibhav Taneja is Tesla’s current CFO, a role he stepped into in August 2023 following the exit of Zach Kirkhorn. Taneja has been a key figure in managing Tesla’s global finances and strategy, especially during a time when the company has faced both massive growth and growing regulatory scrutiny.
A Journey from Delhi to the Top of Tesla
Originally from India, Taneja holds a Commerce degree from Delhi University and is a certified chartered accountant. Before joining Tesla, he spent nearly 17 years at PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), working in both India and the US.
He entered Tesla through the company’s acquisition of SolarCity in 2017, where he was already serving in a senior finance role. Since then, his rise in Tesla has been steady and impactful, although he has mostly stayed away from the limelight.
Why Is Social Media Calling It the ‘H-1B Party’?
As soon as news of Vaibhav Taneja’s role in the America Party broke, many on social media began dubbing it the “H-1B Party” — referring to the popular US visa program that allows American companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals.
Elon Musk has previously supported the H-1B program, stating that the US should attract the “smartest and hardest working people from around the world.” Taneja’s appointment has led critics to question whether Musk’s political ambitions are aligned with his tech-industry-driven immigration views.
Vaibhav Taneja Earned More Than Nadella & Pichai in 2024!
In an interesting twist, Vaibhav Taneja made headlines recently for earning a staggering $139 million in 2024 — making him one of the highest-paid Indian-origin executives in the US tech sector. For comparison, Google CEO Sundar Pichai earned $10.73 million and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella received $79.1 million in the same year.
This massive pay package reflects not only his growing influence at Tesla but also the immense trust Elon Musk places in him — which now extends to the political front as well.