At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), one of the most striking moments was when Elon Musk took the stage and waved a chainsaw in the air. The music was loud, the ballroom was packed, and Musk’s performance was met with both excitement and curiosity. Though he never actually turned the chainsaw on, the message behind his gesture was clear—he was symbolically “cutting through” government bureaucracy.
This chainsaw was not just a random prop; it was a gift from Javier Milei, Argentina’s far-right president who rose to power in 2023. Milei became famous for his radical economic policies, which he referred to as his “chainsaw plan.” The plan aimed to dramatically reduce government spending and eliminate several government ministries. During his campaign, Milei often appeared at rallies with a working chainsaw, using it as a powerful symbol of his aggressive stance against what he called the “political caste.” His supporters even began carrying replica chainsaws to show their allegiance.
Musk’s admiration for Milei is well-documented. Over the past year, he has publicly praised Milei’s government policies, calling them “awesome” and applauding him for eliminating entire departments. Musk has also advocated for similar cuts in the United States, aligning himself with conservative leaders and their push for a smaller government.
Musk’s Political Shift and Growing Influence
It wasn’t long ago that Musk was a self-described Democrat who actively voiced concerns about climate change. However, in recent years, his political stance has taken a sharp turn. He has increasingly aligned himself with right-wing ideologies, forming connections with conservative leaders in India, Brazil, and the United States. This shift appears to be motivated by both personal beliefs and business interests.
Musk’s presence at CPAC was met with enthusiasm from attendees, many of whom now see him as a key player in the conservative movement. However, not everyone fully approves of him. Some conservatives have voiced concerns about his personal life, particularly the fact that he has 12 children with multiple women. Still, his efforts to expose what he calls “government waste” have won him widespread support among right-wing voters.
His growing involvement in politics extends beyond just rhetoric. His Super PAC recently spent $1 million supporting a conservative candidate in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Meanwhile, his company SpaceX was facing a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department over allegations of discrimination against refugees and asylum seekers—a case that was quietly dropped.
The Crisis at the FDA and Musk’s Neuralink Project
At the same time, the U.S. government has been dealing with its own internal struggles. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently laid off 700 employees, significantly affecting teams responsible for regulating medical devices and artificial intelligence-driven healthcare technology.
These layoffs have had major consequences. For instance, the team that reviews diabetes-related medical devices, such as glucose monitors and insulin pumps, lost half of its staff. These devices are critical for patients, and any errors in their function can be life-threatening. Similarly, the department overseeing surgical robots used for heart and reproductive organ surgeries was also heavily impacted.
Among those affected were experts involved in evaluating Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain implant. This device, which is roughly the size of a small stack of coins, is designed to be surgically implanted in the brain, where it can interact with neural activity. The implant has already been tested on three individuals, with the FDA closely monitoring its effects. However, with so many experts now gone, concerns have been raised about whether the FDA will be able to properly oversee the project moving forward.
Interestingly, shortly after a news article exposed these staffing cuts, the FDA called one of the fired experts and offered him his job back. This suggests that the agency may be feeling pressure to restore its regulatory oversight.
Musk and the Power of Meme Culture
Beyond business and politics, Musk has mastered the art of online influence, often using internet memes to shape his public image and political messaging. At CPAC, he famously declared, “I am become meme.” This phrase is a play on a famous quote from J. Robert Oppenheimer—“Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”—which has been widely referenced and parodied online.
Musk’s ability to blend internet culture with real-world politics has given him a unique advantage. He frequently shares memes and viral jokes on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), making his messages more accessible to his vast audience. By doing so, he strengthens the bond between his followers and his political ideology, giving them the feeling that they are part of a movement.
One of the most striking examples of this is his so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), named after the Dogecoin cryptocurrency. The name was originally suggested by his X followers as a joke, but Musk adopted it and transformed it into a symbol of his anti-bureaucracy stance. This ability to turn internet humor into real-world political messaging further solidifies his influence.
Conclusion: The Future of Musk’s Political Role
Elon Musk is no longer just a tech billionaire—he is actively shaping political discourse. Whether through his admiration for far-right leaders like Javier Milei, his financial contributions to conservative campaigns, or his use of memes to engage his followers, he has become a major force in modern politics.
His growing involvement in government affairs raises important questions. Will his push for radical budget cuts gain traction in the U.S.? How will his political connections affect his business empire? And will his online persona continue to influence real-world policy decisions?
As Musk continues to blur the lines between technology, entertainment, and politics, one thing is certain—his role in shaping the future of governance is only just beginning.
