The Anti-Masons were the first recognized third party. It was formed in 1828 in opposition to the Freemasons, a secret society. The disappearance of William Morgan, a former Mason who had threatened to expose secrets, fueled widespread paranoia about the shadowy group, which many believed was covertly controlling the government.

It’s easy for astute political observers to dismiss Musk’s proposed “America Party” as doomed to fail. For decades, political professionals

WHITE: The Trump coalition is beginning to fracture, and in a lot of ways, there is historical precedent for this. Trump and Grover Cleveland have a lot in common besides serving non-contiguous terms as president.

Billionaire Elon Musk consults with Forward Party founder Andrew Yang on America Party plans, aiming to field candidates despite two-party system challenges

Letters to the Editor: A third party could work in America — but it would take one major change. Elon Musk listens as President Trump speaks during a news conference in the Oval Office on May 30.

Third parties have faced an uphill struggle since Lincoln’s win cemented the Republican Party more than 150 years ago, in large part due to the quirks of the U.S. political system.

Answering reader questions about the obstacles and opportunities for new parties like the one formed by Elon Musk.

Trump said third political parties "have never succeeded in the United States" because "the system seems not designed for them."