The ability software popularized by the South American nation’s chief has turn out to be a logo of his push to slash public spending
Argentine President Javier Milei has given Elon Musk a chainsaw as a symbolic gesture reflecting their shared dedication to slicing authorities forms and public spending.
Musk, a detailed ally of US President Donald Trump tasked with slashing federal authorities spending, appeared on the Conservative Political Motion Convention (CPAC) outdoors Washington on Thursday, waving the chainsaw above his head.
The viewers on the conference middle erupted in applause and gave the Tesla and SpaceX CEO a standing ovation as he took the stage alongside Milei carrying a black MAGA baseball cap and mirrored sun shades.
“That is the chainsaw for forms!” Musk exclaimed, brandishing the ability software, which was engraved with Milei’s marketing campaign slogan, “Viva la libertad, carajo” (“Lengthy dwell freedom, rattling it!”).
🚨 LMAO! Elon Musk simply paraded across 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
Milei, a libertarian economist identified for his controversial insurance policies, famously wielded a chainsaw throughout his 2023 presidential marketing campaign to represent his intent to get rid of authorities departments and positions. After taking workplace, he applied drastic financial measures to stabilize Argentina’s struggling economic system. His insurance policies sparked widespread protests final yr. Nonetheless, in January, Argentina recorded its first annual funds surplus in over a decade.
Musk’s efforts align with Milei’s strategy. The billionaire heads the US Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE), a physique established by Trump to streamline federal operations and minimize $2 trillion from federal spending by 2026. Musk has asserted that as much as $1 trillion in cuts may very well be possible.
Since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, DOGE, which isn’t a everlasting federal govt division regardless of its identify, has applied sweeping reductions, together with dismantling the USA Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) and the Client Monetary Safety Bureau (CFPB). It has additionally imposed extreme restrictions on Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH) grants as a part of a broader technique to curb federal expenditures.
The DOGE has additionally launched an official web site to trace the federal workforce and doc the variety of laws. The portal has reported an estimated $55 billion in financial savings for the reason that division’s inception.
This week, DOGE claimed to have recognized an almost $5 trillion discrepancy in US federal spending, alleging that Treasury information have rendered some funds untraceable.
Milei arrived in Washington on Thursday amid a rising scandal over the $Libra cryptocurrency, which he promoted final Friday on his X account. The controversy has led to authorized complaints and requires his impeachment in Argentina’s Congress.
The self-described anarcho-capitalist was additionally one of many first overseas leaders to go to Trump at his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida following the Republican’s 2024 election victory.
