Elon Musk Receives Chainsaw Gift from Javier Milei at CPAC

In a bold and symbolic gesture, Argentinian President Javier Milei gifted Elon Musk a chainsaw backstage at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. The gift was a nod to Milei’s campaign promise to cut government waste, a message that resonates strongly with Musk’s current role as a senior adviser to President Donald Trump.

Milei famously brandished a chainsaw during his 2023 campaign rallies, vowing to tackle Argentina’s bloated bureaucracy and curb its inflation crisis. Now, with Musk helping to lead Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the chainsaw has become a shared symbol of government reform on both sides of the equator.

Milei posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing Musk holding the chainsaw, which bore the phrase “VIVA LA LIBERTAD CARAJO” meaning “LONG LIVE FREEDOM, DAMN IT!”, Milei’s iconic campaign slogan. “Llegó la motosierra a DOGE…!!! The Chainsaw has arrived at DOGE…!!!” Milei wrote.

Musk later took the CPAC stage wearing sunglasses and a black Make America Great Again hat. In a moment that blended humor with messaging, Milei followed Musk onto the stage carrying the chainsaw.

“This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy!” Musk declared, holding the tool aloft as the audience cheered.

Musk has been tasked with advising Trump on slashing government spending and potentially overhauling entire agencies. His work with DOGE has already led to over $55 billion in identified savings, according to Trump. “We’re just getting started,” the president said earlier this week.

During a Q&A session, Musk reflected on DOGE’s origins and its unusual path to government reform. “DOGE started out as a meme, think about it,” he said, referencing the Shiba Inu dog meme that exploded into internet culture over a decade ago. “Now it’s real. Isn’t that crazy?”

Musk emphasized the importance of maintaining a sense of humor while pursuing serious reforms. “We’re trying to get good things done, but also have a good time doing it,” he added.

The chainsaw is more than just a prop it symbolizes a shared vision of dismantling bureaucratic excess and returning power to the people. Milei’s use of the chainsaw during his campaign became a viral sensation in Argentina, and now Musk is embracing that imagery as DOGE works to cut wasteful spending in the U.S. government.

The partnership between Trump, Musk, and Milei underscores a growing international movement toward smaller, more efficient governments. By blending bold visuals with clear policy goals, these leaders are aiming to captivate public attention and drive meaningful change.

As DOGE continues its work, Musk’s chainsaw moment at CPAC serves as both a metaphor and a rallying cry for those who believe it’s time to trim back the deep-rooted overgrowth of government waste.

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