‘My mind is a storm', says chainsaw-wielding Musk

SpaceX founder and Donald Trump megadonor turned "special government employee" Elon Musk waved a chainsaw around and continued to accuse the Biden administration of abandoning American astronauts during a madcap surprise appearance on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday.

- ANDREW FEINBERG

Mr Musk, who took the stage alongside Newsmax host Rob Schmitt on the second day of the right-wing confab, immediately brought on a second guest – Argentinian president Javier Milei – who handed Mr Musk the bejewelled power tool as a gift, apparently a reference to the figurative chainsaw Musk is taking to the federal government. Mr Milei has repeatedly wielded a chainsaw in public appearances in Argentina.

After Mr Milei left the stage, Mr Musk engaged in a running back and forth with the television host touching on a number of topics. They included his journey from political neutrality to being one of President Trump’s most fervent financial backers, his concerns over his security, and his desire to tour the US gold depository at Fort Knox in Kentucky.

Mr Schmitt asked the SpaceX and Tesla boss what it was like “inside the mind of a genius.” Mr Musk hesitated before replying: “My mind is a storm, so ... it’s a storm.”