In recognition of his first month back in the White House, President Donald Trump engaged in a sort of victory tour before a large gathering of conservatives, during which his former adviser appeared to make a salute reminiscent of Nazi gestures, and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk waved a chainsaw.
In an energetic speech to a cheering crowd at the four-day Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington, DC, Trump highlighted his achievements since taking office on January 20, while attacking his political rivals, including former president Joe Biden.
“Everything he touched turned to s***,” Trump remarked about Biden, using strong language that prompted a standing ovation from the audience.
Trump also proclaimed that “nobody has witnessed anything” like his administration’s extensive efforts to terminate thousands of federal employees and reduce government size, praising himself for “dominating” Washington and sending bureaucrats “packing”.
“We’re going to create a new and enduring political majority that will shape American politics for generations,” Trump asserted, hinting at a potential run for a third term in 2028, in defiance of the constitutional stipulations.
Here are some additional highlights from the CPAC:
Bannon’s Nazi-like salute
Former Trump advisor and chief strategist Steve Bannon faced accusations of performing a Nazi salute as he wrapped up his speech at CPAC, although he claimed it was merely a “wave”.
Bannon was on stage when he raised his right arm with a flat palm after urging the crowd to “Fight! Fight! Fight!”—a nod to Trump’s cry following an assassination attempt.
This gesture, which drew comparisons to one made by Musk during a previous Trump inauguration event, incited immediate backlash, including condemnation from the Anti-Defamation League, due to its historical association with Nazi salutes.
The incident also led to the cancellation of a planned speech by Jordan Bardella, the French far-right National Rally leader, who Bannon disparaged as “a boy, not a man,” claiming he was “unworthy to lead France”.
Musk waves a chainsaw
Musk brandished a chainsaw during his appearance at CPAC, expressing support for auditing the Federal Reserve and accusing Democrats of “treason”.
The Tesla CEO, who has emerged as one of Trump’s key advisors, donned sunglasses and his iconic black “Make America Great Again” cap while discussing his campaign to cut government expenditures and reduce the federal workforce.
Musk then revealed that Argentinian President Javier Milei presented him with a special gift.
Milei walked on stage with a red chainsaw and handed it to Musk, who excitedly waved it before the cheering crowd. The chainsaw featured Milei’s slogan, “Viva la libertad, carajo,” which translates to “Long live liberty, damn it.”
Milei, frequently lauded by Musk, popularized the chainsaw during his 2023 campaign as part of his proposals to trim government spending.
Milei bats for small government
Returning to the stage on Saturday, Milei urged the enthusiastic CPAC audience to continue backing Trump’s initiatives to downsize government, noting that his own methods in Argentina parallel those of the US president.
Speaking in Spanish, Milei voiced his support for Trump’s decision to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID), arguing that it contradicts the president’s agenda and is wasteful.
“Our approach is similar to that of our dear friend Elon Musk,” Milei stated. “To examine each office, retain what works, and discard the rest. That’s why I gave him a chainsaw.”
During his 2023 campaign, he also used a different chainsaw as a prop to symbolize his plans to cut a bloated government. However, a year into his presidency, Argentina’s poverty rate reached nearly 53%, leading analysts to label his policies as “a disaster.”
Meloni says Europe is not lost
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addressed CPAC attendees via video link, asserting that the US and Europe would remain united under Trump, despite rising tensions surrounding Ukraine.
She blamed “ruling classes” and “mainstream media” for the challenges faced, confidently claiming that Europe is not “lost”.
“Our adversaries hope President Trump will distance himself from us [Europe],” Meloni emphasized, adding, “Given his strong and effective leadership, those wishing for divisions will surely be mistaken.”
As the only EU leader present at Trump’s inauguration in January, Meloni, head of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, has been positioned as a potential bridge between the EU and the US president.
