Donald Trump and Elon Musk's split: the day Milei and the Tesla mogul put on a chainsaw show

Donald Trump and Elon Musk's resounding divorce , complete with public barbs , took everyone by surprise, including in Argentina. Both figures have shown sympathy for Javier Milei's administration in recent months. And the President managed to meet and photograph both of them. Perhaps the most memorable example is the show Milei and Musk put on at a conservative conference . There were three of them: Javier, Elon, and the chainsaw.

The complicity with Musk dates back to before the Tesla CEO even joined the Department of Government Efficiency. There were hints on social media and even an electoral conversation after the 2023 runoff election in which Milei defeated Sergio Massa.

The first time they met was in April 2024, on one of the President's trips to the United States. There were photos and a tour of the Tesla factory in Texas.

Ten months later, they had a striking moment at CPAC , the Conservative Action Conference, in Washington. That day was the day of the chainsaw show .

"Hello, friend," Milei greeted Musk at the hotel where the Argentine delegation was staying. They met for 45 minutes. During that meeting, the libertarian gave him a chainsaw, one of the most significant gestures for the government, given the significance that tool took on as a symbol of austerity.

It was also a nod to the role the magnate had been playing in the United States until last week, as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), presented to the Argentine public as a sort of American Federico Sturzenegger.

The chainsaw was given to Musk during that private meeting, inside a brown case. It's a replica of the one Milei keeps in his office. It came from Villa Urquiza, from the home of the inventor who handcrafts this libertarian fetish.

But there was a public introduction. It was when Musk took the CPAC stage. "President Milei has a gift for me," said the owner of the social network X. The President entered from behind, waving the chainsaw in the air. He handed it to Musk, who shook his hand and raised the tool as well. After beating his chest in a sign of affection, Milei applauded and gave the audience a thumbs-up. But the show belonged to Musk.

"This is the chainsaw of bureaucracy," the South African-born entrepreneur celebrated. The music was loud, and Milei was slowly slipping into second place. She walked over again to greet Musk and left the stage.

Musk remained. And the chainsaw, which—as the magnate announced at the time—would end up in his office at the Department of Government Efficiency. The same office he left on May 30th.