Elon Musk Wields Chainsaw at Conservative Conference, Stirs Controversy

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk electrified attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday by brandishing a chainsaw gifted to him by Argentine President Javier Milei. The event showcased Musk’s support for President Donald Trump‘s administration, including his stance on government spending and a potential audit of the Federal Reserve.

Musk’s appearance came as he delivered a spirited address advocating for downsizing the federal workforce and cutting government expenditures. The Tesla CEO, who has increasingly been identified as an influential adviser to Trump, was met with cheers from the crowd at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

Before taking the stage, Musk met with Milei, a politician known for promoting fiscal austerity and who popularized the chainsaw as a symbol of his campaign against government waste. As he took the stage wearing a black “Make America Great Again” hat and sunglasses, Musk unveiled the chainsaw, which bore Milei’s slogan, “Viva la libertad, carajo,” or “Long live liberty, damn it.”

“This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy,” Musk declared, drawing laughter and applause.

In his remarks, Musk criticized the Biden administration’s immigration policy, labeling it a “real scam at scale” designed to influence the electorate. He specifically targeted an app that allowed nearly one million individuals to gain two-year permits to work in the U.S. “A lot of people don’t quite appreciate that this was an actual real scam at scale to tilt the scales of democracy in America,” Musk said, adding the term “treason” in response to a question from Newsmax host Rob Schmitt.

When asked about his views on the Federal Reserve, Musk affirmed, “Yeah, sure, while we’re at it,” suggesting a willingness to explore auditing the institution amid widespread concerns about government mismanagement.

During the event, Musk also referenced Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele‘s concerns for his safety, recalling Bukele stating, “I am worried about your security.”

Musk candidly described the complexities of his mindset, stating, “My mind is a storm.” His remarks garnered attention, electrifying the audience and overshadowing future speakers, including Steve Bannon, who noted the difficult position of following Musk’s high-profile address.

“How did I draw the card to follow Elon Musk?” Bannon quipped, acknowledging that he was not the main attraction of the evening as he took the stage to a lukewarm reception.

The event highlighted Musk’s increasing involvement in political discourse, further positioning him as a key figure among conservatives while also drawing scrutiny for his provocative statements.