Musk Waves a Chainsaw, Applauds Trump’s Cost-Cutting, and Rallies Conservative Support.
3 min read
Elon Musk holds up a chainsaw he received from Argentina’s President Javier Milei, right, as they arrive to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Billionaire Elon Musk took the stage at a major conservative gathering just outside Washington on Thursday, dramatically waving a chainsaw in the air as he rallied support for cutting government spending.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), the Tesla CEO—now one of Donald Trump’s most influential advisers—didn’t hold back. He expressed openness to auditing the Federal Reserve, accused Democrats of “treason,” and doubled down on his push to shrink the federal workforce through the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Musk’s surprise appearance, announced earlier that day, drew thunderous applause from the crowd of conservative activists. Before taking the stage, he met with Argentine President Javier Milei, a fellow budget-slashing advocate who famously wielded a chainsaw on the campaign trail in 2023 to symbolize his commitment to slashing public spending—a move Musk has openly praised.
As Musk stepped onto the stage—sporting dark shades and his signature black “Make America Great Again” hat—he wasted no time making a statement. With a grin, he announced that Argentine President Javier Milei had brought him a special gift. Moments later, Milei joined him onstage, handing over a bright red chainsaw engraved with his signature slogan: “Viva la libertad, carajo!”—Spanish for “Long live liberty, damn it!”
“Viva la libertad, carajo!”—Spanish for “Long live liberty, damn it!”
Holding up the chainsaw, Musk declared, “This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy,” drawing loud cheers from the conservative crowd.
Shifting gears, Musk took aim at the Biden administration, slamming its immigration policies. He singled out an app that had allowed nearly a million people to enter the U.S. on two-year permits with work eligibility, accusing Biden and the Democrats of using it as a political strategy to gain support in key swing states.
“A lot of people don’t quite realize this was an actual, large-scale scam to tip the scales of democracy in America,” Musk claimed.
Newsmax host Rob Schmitt, sitting beside him, leaned in and asked pointedly, “Treason?”
Musk didn’t hesitate.
“Treason,” he said bluntly, doubling down on his accusation.
When Newsmax host Rob Schmitt pressed him on whether he’d support auditing the Federal Reserve, Musk shrugged and replied with a smirk, “Yeah, sure, while we’re at it.”
Photo Via: Pacific Press/ Alamy Stcok
He then took a broader swipe at government inefficiency. “Waste is pretty much everywhere,” he remarked, reinforcing his push for budget cuts and a leaner federal system.
The conversation took a lighter turn when Musk shared a surprising call he received from El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. Known for his aggressive crackdown on crime, Bukele had apparently reached out with a personal concern.
“President Bukele, the guy who locked up a hundred thousand murderous thugs, called me and said, ‘I’m worried about your security,'” Musk recounted, laughing. “And I’m like, ‘Dude, you’re worried about my security?!'”
Asked to describe what it’s like inside his mind, Musk didn’t miss a beat.
“My mind is a storm. It’s a storm,” he said, leaving the crowd intrigued.
But while Musk’s appearance electrified the room, not everyone got the same reaction. When Steve Bannon—former Trump chief strategist and conservative firebrand—took the stage after him, the energy noticeably dipped.
Looking out at the crowd, Bannon chuckled. “How did I draw the card to follow Elon Musk?” he asked, shaking his head. “C’mon, man! You bring out the world’s richest guy—Superman—and then expect me to top that? I’m just a crazy Irishman!”
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