In a striking moment at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Argentine President Javier Milei presented billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk with a red chainsaw, a signature symbol of Milei’s commitment to slashing government bureaucracy.
Musk later waved the chainsaw onstage, drawing loud cheers from the audience and reinforcing his alignment with the movement for reduced government spending.
Milei Gifts Musk Chainsaw as a Symbol of Economic Reform
Milei, who has long used the chainsaw as a representation of his aggressive economic reforms, handed the tool to Musk backstage. The chainsaw was engraved with Milei’s well-known slogan, “Viva la libertad, carajo” (“Long live liberty, damn it”).
Accepting the gift with a smile, Musk carried it onstage and raised it high. “This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy,” he declared, energizing the crowd.
Milei and Musk Share a Vision for Reducing Government Intervention
The exchange underscored the shared ideology between Milei and Musk, both outspoken advocates for limiting government intervention. Musk, who leads the Trump administration’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been tasked with cutting federal expenditures by nearly $2 trillion.
According to DOGE’s real-time tracking, the agency has already reported $55 billion in savings, including an $8 billion contract reduction.
Musk Calls Out Biden’s Immigration Policies at CPAC
Musk’s CPAC speech went beyond symbolic gestures. He took direct aim at the previous Biden administration’s immigration policies, particularly an app that facilitated the entry of nearly one million individuals into the U.S. on two-year work permits.
He accused Democrats of using the program to shift voter demographics in swing states, calling it “a real scam at scale to tilt the scales of democracy.” When Newsmax host Rob Schmitt asked if this amounted to “treason,” Musk responded simply, “Treason.”
The billionaire also voiced support for greater oversight of the Federal Reserve. When questioned about the prospect of an audit, he replied, “Yeah, sure, while we’re at it.”
Musk Dominates CPAC Stage, Leaving Bannon in the Dust
Musk’s His high-profile presence at CPAC overshadowed other speakers, including former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who took the stage afterward to a notably more subdued reception. “How did I draw the card to follow Elon Musk? C’mon man!” Bannon quipped.
