Wall Street analysts and investors cited growing fatigue with Musk’s increasingly controversial political activities as a key factor behind the sell-off.

Before we assess the eternally unrealized dream of a potent third party in American politics, let’s consider the specific, recently emergent dream of one specific man: Elon Musk.

If the story of other tech-fueled parties is any indication, it could well survive a while — but struggle for any real traction with American voters.