Musk says, in retrospect, infamous chainsaw stunt was a mistake

Elon Musk is reflecting on some of his more infamous moments during the 2024 presidential campaign, claiming one in particular “lacked empathy.”

Musk’s excitement over being involved in the campaign of President Donald Trump was palpable; one could tell he truly felt like he was making a difference. In a moment that quickly went viral, the billionaire walked out onto the CPAC stage in Washington, D.C., wielding a chainsaw that had been given to him by Argentine President Javier Milei.

Watch:

HOLY SH*T President of Argentina Javier Milei just gave Elon Musk a chainsaw. WE ARE BACK

THE LEFT CAN’T STAND THIS pic.twitter.com/70cDyYRGBM

— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) February 20, 2025

Elon Musk now holds the chainsaw for bureaucracy, ready to cut down the government and increase efficiency. pic.twitter.com/fsTUpZlaor

— SMX (@iam_smx) February 27, 2025

At the end of last month, Musk posted an X status claiming that hitting the debt ceiling will be the only way to force the government to finally deal with waste and fraud, something he had been tasked with handling under Trump’s administration. A user responded by recalling that the chainsaw stunt, saying Musk acted like a “fool” when he should have had his nose to the grindstone.

Maybe you shouldn’t have taken the chainsaw on stage and acted a fool. Maybe you could have gotten more done if you weren’t so worried about looking cool

— Jim Spradlin (@JimSpradlin7) July 1, 2025

“Maybe you shouldn’t have taken the chainsaw on stage and acted a fool. Maybe you could have gotten more done if you weren’t so worried about looking cool,” the user wrote, prompting Musk to reply. But rather than issue a snarky retort like many have come to expect, the response was contrite and reflective.

Valid point. Milei gave me the chainsaw backstage and I ran with it, but, in retrospect, it lacked empathy.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2025

“Valid point. Milei gave me the chainsaw backstage and I ran with it, but, in retrospect, it lacked empathy,” Musk said.

X users responded to Musk’s admission:

It was a turning point bro. I still love ya and everything you do but we need to stand together. The globalists used that moment as a scare tactic and to divide us.

— Jim Spradlin (@JimSpradlin7) July 1, 2025

Awesome that Elon can admit mistakes. Part of what I love about him

— Kon Baa (@rkg2484469) July 2, 2025

This doesn’t fall on you. It falls on all the liars who won’t push the cuts or proposals through because it cuts their bottom line!

— Slacker (@Sl_acker) July 1, 2025

Elon redemption arc has started. Buckle up boys!

— zeemonk (@zeeFloatingMonk) July 2, 2025

I don’t think it lacked empathy, quite the contrary! I couldn’t disagree more.

— HidnPineapple (@HidnPineapple) July 2, 2025

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