OXON HILL, Md. — Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk made a striking appearance at a conservative event near Washington, raising eyebrows when he waved a chainsaw overhead and expressed his willingness to investigate the Federal Reserve. During his speech, he accused Democrats of engaging in “treason” and stressed the need to reduce government expenditure and the federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency.
On Thursday, Musk was introduced as a speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference, immediately igniting excitement among attendees. Before taking the stage, he held a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei, who has garnered Musk’s admiration recently and famously incorporated the chainsaw into his campaign in 2023, advocating for significant cuts to public spending.
Upon Musk’s entry onto the stage, sporting sunglasses and his recognizable black “Make America Great Again” cap, he revealed a gift from Milei—a bright red chainsaw presented alongside the Argentine leader. The chainsaw bore the inscription of Milei’s catchphrase, “Viva la libertad, carajo,” which translates to “Long live liberty, damn it.” Musk humorously dubbed it “the chainsaw for bureaucracy.”
The billionaire criticized the immigration policies of the previous Biden administration, specifically targeting an application utilized by nearly one million individuals to gain entry into the U.S. through two-year work permits. He claimed that this maneuver was a strategic “investment” aimed at garnering support in pivotal swing states. “Many may not realize that this constituted a substantial scam designed to manipulate democracy in America,” Musk remarked. When prompted by Newsmax host Rob Schmitt regarding potential treason, Musk affirmed with a simple, “Treason.”
In response to inquiries about auditing the Federal Reserve, Musk remarked, “Yeah, sure, while we’re at it,” further emphasizing, “Waste is pretty much everywhere.” Musk also shared a light-hearted moment involving Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who expressed concerns for Musk’s safety despite having incarcerated numerous dangerous criminals. “He called me and asked, ‘I am worried about your security,’” Musk relayed, humorously questioning Bukele’s concern for him.
When asked how to characterize his thoughts, Musk candidly said, “My mind is a storm. It’s a storm.” Following Musk’s captivating presentation, Steve Bannon, a well-known ally of Trump and former chief strategist, took the stage but acknowledged the challenging task of succeeding Musk in the lineup. “How did I draw the card to follow Elon Musk?” Bannon joked about the situation, noting the disparity in enthusiasm from the crowd. “C’mon man! You bring out the world’s wealthiest guy, Superman. I’m supposed to follow it? I’m just a crazy Irishman!”
