DOGE Co-lead and Tesla CEO Elon Musk appeared at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C., waving a chainsaw Argentinian President Javier Milei gave him.
Milei presented the chainsaw as a gift to commemorate Musk’s efforts in leading the Department of Government Efficiency’s spending cut campaign. President Milei popularized the symbolic power tool during his 2023 campaign to emphasize his public spending-slashing policies. Musk also demonstrated that DOGE was open to auditing the Federal Reserve and accused Democrats of treason.
Milei handing Musk his signature chainsaw
🚨 LMAO! Elon Musk just paraded around the stage at CPAC with a chainsaw given to him by Javier Milei 🤣
“THIS IS THE CHAINSAW FOR BUREAUCRACY!” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NcL2f22xjO
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 20, 2025
Musk appeared on stage at CPAC wearing his black MAGA hat and stated that the Argentinian president had a gift for him. Milei then joined him on stage with a red chainsaw, bearing his 2023 campaign slogan, “Vive la libertad, carajo,” which translates to “Long live liberty, damn it,” engraved on it.
“This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy,” Milei said.
The tech billionaire sharply criticized the Biden administration’s immigration policies, specifically calling out a government-backed app that has reportedly allowed nearly one million people to enter the U.S. on two-year work-eligible permits. Musk claimed the initiative was a strategic move by Democrats to gain political support in key swing states.
“This was an actual real scam at scale to tilt the scales of democracy in America,” Musk said during an appearance on Newsmax. Host Rob Schmitt directly asked if he believed this amounted to “treason.” Musk’s response was blunt: “Treason.”
During the discussion, Musk also expressed willingness to audit the Federal Reserve, which could, in theory, be subject to a restructuring from DOGE should they see fit.
“Yeah, sure, while we’re at it,” said Musk when Schmitt suggested the idea. “Waste is pretty much everywhere,” he added.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO also recounted a conversation with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who has overseen a massive crackdown on gang violence in his country.
According to Musk, Bukele called him to express concern over his safety. “He said, ‘I am worried about your security,’” Musk said. “I’m like, ‘Dude, you are worried about my security?’”
At the conference, Musk was asked to describe the inner workings of his mind, and Musk likened it to a storm. “My mind is a storm. It’s a storm,” said Musk.
The night’s event also featured former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who took the stage following Musk’s remarks, although the audience favored Musk.
“How did I draw the card to follow Elon Musk? C’mon man! You bring out the world’s wealthiest guy, Superman. I’m supposed to follow it? I’m just a crazy Irishman!” exclaimed Bannon.