Aug 19 (Reuters) - Tesla CEO Elon Musk is

quietly pumping the brakes on plans to start a third political

party and told allies he wants to focus on his companies and is

reluctant to alienate powerful Republicans, The Wall Street

Journal reported on Tuesday.

Musk is also considering using some of his vast financial

resources to back U.S. Vice President JD Vance if he decides to

run for president in 2028, the newspaper reported, citing people

familiar with the matter.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report.