OXON HILL, Md. — At a prominent gathering of conservative activists, the familiar red “Make America Great Again” hats worn by supporters of former President Donald Trump were spotted alongside a growing number of black “Dark MAGA” hats, which have gained popularity through the influence of Elon Musk. This visual juxtaposition highlights Musk’s increasing sway within conservative circles, as he transitions from a former ally of Democratic leaders Barack Obama and Joe Biden to a significant presence among right-wing supporters.
Whitney Mason, a 62-year-old real estate professional from Seattle, expressed her enthusiasm for Musk’s involvement, stating, “He is an authentic and unique individual. I am glad he is on the team.” Musk made an unanticipated appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), with his entry announced just hours before he took the stage, brandishing a chainsaw as a prop. His remarks and theatrics left no question about his influence within the movement, especially following recent legal claims from Trump’s administration asserting that Musk did not oversee his own Department of Government Efficiency.
Throughout CPAC, speakers referenced Musk’s involvement with DOGE, a meme cryptocurrency he popularized in 2021, dubbing him a “white knight,” a “hero of free speech,” and, according to Steve Bannon, a fierce critic of Musk, as “Superman.” House Speaker Mike Johnson lauded Musk’s team for their ability to accomplish what Congress has struggled to achieve, stating, “They’ve cracked the code. They’re inside the belly of the beast of the bureaucracy, and the algorithms are crawling through.”
Under Musk’s guidance, the Trump administration has enacted significant workforce reductions in federal agencies without prior notice, allowing employees the option to resign. This approach has raised eyebrows, especially as Musk continues to seek cost-cutting measures that could potentially yield substantial savings for taxpayers. During his address at CPAC, Musk informed the audience that federal employees would receive an email summarizing their recent efforts, warning that non-responses would be interpreted as resignations.
During the event, Trump voiced his support for Musk, declaring, “Elon is doing a great job… We love Elon, don’t we? He’s a character.” Critics have raised alarms about the potential advantages Musk could gain through his alliance with Trump amid various federal investigations and regulatory policies that may impact Tesla’s ambitious plans for autonomous vehicles. Additionally, Musk’s SpaceX holds significant contracts with both the Pentagon and NASA.
Colin McEvers, a 19-year-old political science student who voted for Trump, demonstrated mixed feelings regarding Musk’s expanding influence, noting the potential conflict of interest that may arise as the world’s richest man continues to shape federal policy. “I like the basic principle of making government more efficient and cutting back on costs,” he shared, while voicing concern about Musk’s potential motivations for reducing regulations that could benefit his companies.
As of now, the Trump administration has not disclosed any initiatives specifically aimed at bolstering Tesla or Musk’s other ventures. Furthermore, Musk’s stance on issues such as H-1B visas has made him a target for criticisms from prominent MAGA figures, including Bannon, who has portrayed Musk as a “parasitic illegal immigrant.” Interestingly, while Bannon refrained from criticizing Musk at CPAC, he faced backlash for a gesture on stage that some likened to a Nazi salute, which he claimed was merely a wave.
Meanwhile, just a few miles away at a hotel near the White House, over a thousand anti-Trump activists convened at the Principles First Summit where billionaire Mark Cuban criticized Trump’s administration. Cuban humorously noted that Musk’s actions would complicate Trump’s position further, implying that he was not aligned with the best interests of Trump’s supporters.
In a social media post, Trump expressed a desire for Musk to adopt a more assertive stance. During his speech, he dismissed concerns regarding Musk’s lack of an official title in his administration, claiming instead, “I say patriot.”
