Elon Musk has found himself in hot water this week, for the bizarre way he celebrated fulfilling the controversial duties that come with his new role as Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) co-lead.
The tech boss was seen waving a chainsaw around whilst on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday (19 Feb), as he discussed a number of political topics, beginning with Joe Biden's 'failure' to recover the astronauts currently stranded in space.
Alongside Newsmax host Rob Schmitt, 53-year-old Musk joined in on the Republican celebration of his own company's upcoming mission into space, along with Argentinian president Javier Milei.
Musk's exploration firm SpaceX confirmed earlier this month that their own mission to rescue Sunita Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore - who've been stranded on the International Space Station since June - will take place in March.
Advert
Whilst on stage, father-of-13 Musk also discussed his transition from political neutrality to a supporter of - and confidant to - Donald Trump.
His newly-implemented role as Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) co-lead was also brought up - just weeks after Musk was accused of planning a 'hostile takeover'.
Appearing in the White House earlier this month, the Tesla CEO described cuts to government funding - as per his new position's duties - as 'common sense' measures, and insisted they are 'not draconian or radical'.
As per the BBC, Musk went on at the time: "The people voted for major government reform and that's what the people are going to get. That's what democracy is all about."
Advert
Later, Musk - who was appointed by Trump (not elected) to his new position - went on to describe federal workers as 'unelected, fourth, unconstitutional branch of government', that he claimed had 'more power than any elected representative'.
During his latest on-stage appearance this week, however, Musk was handed a bejewelled chainsaw, seemingly a reference to the chainsaw he is currently taking to the federal government.
In viral clips, the controversial tech guru could be seen running up and down the stage, proudly wielding the colossal power tool.
Advert
Naturally, the form of celebration hasn't gone down too well with millions of Americans, with many accusing Musk of insensitivity when it comes to cutting the jobs and livelihoods of dedicated workers.
"Elon Musk thinks that firing thousands of people, including veterans, military spouses, people with kids, is like playing a vide game where he gets to take a chainsaw to their lives," one has since hit out on X (formerly Twitter).
"So fun, amirite? He truly sucks at being human."
Advert
Another wrote: "Elon Musk, who is wearing sunglasses indoors, wields a chainsaw to celebrate the tens of thousands of federal employees he’s fired indiscriminately and without explanation."
"Elon Musk brings out a chainsaw and laughs after helping lay off thousands of American civil servants, including health care workers and national security officials," a third wrote.
According to The Conversation, Musk's new position gives him the authority to access the system responsible for all government payments, breach sensitive databases and private medical records, and circumvent conflict of interest/transparency requirements.
The publication also alleges that the role allows him to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and gain access to the computer systems of a number of federal agencies.
Advert
According to a poll recently conducted by CBS News, the majority of Americans are in favour of Musk's supposed endeavours, but appear to disagree with the level of influence Trump has seemingly allotted him.
Rhianna Benson