Staff Reports
At the recent Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Oxon Hill, Maryland, a distinctive fashion statement caught the eye of attendees: the unmistakable red “Make America Great Again” hats were joined by an emerging trend—the striking black “Dark MAGA” hats, championed by none other than Elon Musk. This development illustrates the unlikely but significant influence Musk, the world’s richest man and a former Democrat, has wielded amongst modern conservatives, thanks in part to his friendship with President Trump.
Among the attendees, Whitney Mason, a real estate agent from Seattle, expressed relief that Musk was on the conservative side, praising his authenticity and uniqueness. With Musk having just made a surprise appearance at CPAC, brandishing a chainsaw as a symbol of his no-nonsense approach to bureaucracy, his commitment to the conservative cause could hardly be questioned. This unexpected show of theatrics left the audience buzzing about his unconventional style and newfound status as a conservative powerhouse.
‘Dark MAGA’ spreads as conservatives embrace Musk’s influence on Trumphttps://t.co/f01LeNRbRZ pic.twitter.com/hwA1JTQWpw
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 23, 2025
Speakers throughout the conference highlighted Musk’s contributions, drawing attention to popular topics like Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency famously associated with Musk’s meme-loving followers. Comments ranged from referring to Musk as a “white knight” to Bannon labeling him “Superman.” House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that Musk and his team had seemingly cracked the inefficiencies of Washington bureaucracy, a feat typical of a magician rather than a businessman.
Musk’s impact is evident in the sweeping changes happening under Trump’s administration. Following Musk’s guidance, there was a sudden shake-up that saw thousands of federal employees let go with little notice. Workers were faced with emails demanding personal accountability for their weekly accomplishments, or else risk being presumed resigned. Many conservatives saw this as a boost to efficiency, even if it ruffled the feathers of certain misguided millennials worried about corporate interests infringing upon the rights of average Americans.
The conservative scene, however, is not without its detractors. Colin McEvers, a young voter who admires Vice President JD Vance, raised eyebrows about the potential benefits Musk may reap from his relationship with Trump, hinting at some self-serving motives behind Musk’s push for regulatory rollbacks. He’s not alone in this skepticism, as many on the right have had to wrestle with Bannon’s accusations of Musk being a “parasitic illegal immigrant” exploiting the system—a classic case of throwing shade while simultaneously groveling for approval at the same rally.
As the conservative coalition grapples with Musk’s dual identity as a billionaire benefactor and frequent target of criticism, the clear takeaway from CPAC is that Musk is now a substantive figure in Trump’s circle, a relationship that appears to be financially advantageous for both. While outside critics like Mark Cuban chime in with their amateurish critiques, it’s clear many conservatives recognize Musk as an updated hero in their narrative, boldly wielding a chainsaw, much to the satisfaction of those who prefer action over inaction in the halls of power.
