Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has adopted a bold approach to reducing federal spending, drawing inspiration from Argentine President Javier Milei. On February 20, 2025, during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Musk brandished a chainsaw—a gift from Milei—symbolizing their shared commitment to cutting government expenditures.
President Donald Trump, acknowledging the controversial nature of Musk’s methods, suggested that his Cabinet secretaries have gleaned sufficient insights from the Tesla CEO to enhance efficiency within their departments. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump stated, “There will be a point at which the secretaries will be able to do this work and do it, as we say, with a scalpel.”
This development indicates that the Department of Government Efficiency may conclude its operations after only 130 days, well ahead of its original schedule. Musk’s tenure at DOGE has faced increasing criticism from some of the president’s constituents, particularly regarding the depth and speed of the implemented cuts.
During his CPAC speech, Musk defended his aggressive strategies, emphasizing the urgency of addressing government inefficiencies. He asserted, “Our goal is to reduce the waste and fraud by $4 billion a day, every day, seven days a week—and so far we are succeeding.”
President Trump has had to balance defending DOGE’s cuts, which affect voters in certain Republican strongholds, while also advocating for significant tariff increases—proposals that have unsettled the stock market and fueled recession concerns. Despite the controversy, Trump has referred to DOGE as the “Manhattan Project of our time,” highlighting the administration’s dedication to radically downsizing the federal government.
Musk’s initiatives have led to the dismissal of over 6,000 federal employees, a move that has disrupted operations in key departments such as Agriculture, which has had to pause activities and cancel significant funding programs. Critics argue that these cuts may precipitate crises in sectors like agriculture and increase unemployment rates.
In a symbolic gesture at CPAC, Musk wielded the chainsaw gifted by Milei, underscoring their mutual commitment to reducing government size. Milei, who used a chainsaw during his 2023 presidential campaign to represent his plans to slash the bloated Argentine state, explained, “Our method is similar to that of our dear friend Elon Musk: to go office by office, keep in place what is working and get rid of the rest. That’s why I gave him a chainsaw.”
As Musk’s 130-day term as a Special Government Employee nears its end, discussions about the future of DOGE intensify. The potential early termination of the department raises questions about the sustainability and long-term impact of Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting measures on the federal government’s structure and efficiency.
