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Elon Musk’s Role at CPAC: A Symbol of Contradiction in the MAGA Movement
The scene at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) captured the attention of many: the shadow president, notably Elon Musk, took to the stage sporting a confident grin, sunglasses perched on his nose. Wielding a chainsaw—a striking detail that elicited cheers from the crowd—he was presented with a large painting. The artist had depicted him against a backdrop of a promised futurist utopia: vibrant depictions of astronauts exploring new planets and futuristic cities buzzing with flying cars. The contrast was stark, however, between the painting’s triumphant representation and the actual Musk, who seemed to struggle to articulate his thoughts during his address. A quick glance at the media pit prompted a reporter to mime smoking a joint in disbelief, questioning Musk’s coherence during the event.
Even amidst his apparent fumbling, the crowd was enamored, showering Musk with standing ovations that punctuated his struggle to communicate. His eccentric presence served as a draw for CPAC, an annual gathering promoting a unified right-wing front. With attendance figures dwindling, Musk’s inclusion in the event marked a shift toward a broader, yet often conflicting, coalition within conservative circles. This complexity was highlighted by Musk’s mixture of celebrity status and controversy, especially in a space that professes a staunch “pro-family” agenda while embracing his unconventional lifestyle. The gathering’s narratives also explored the tension between the grassroots populism embodied by some attendees and the elite status of figures like Musk, reflecting the evolution of a movement that began with Donald Trump’s controversial entry into politics.
In an unexpected twist, hours before Musk took the stage, I spoke with the artist who painted his portrait, Seth Leibowitz. He expressed both admiration and unease about Musk’s growing influence. Despite understanding the excitement surrounding Musk’s current ventures, Leibowitz admitted to fears regarding what he termed Musk’s transhumanist ambitions—an unsettling notion for many aligned with conservative values. While Musk’s immediate endeavors, such as dismantling parts of the federal bureaucracy through initiatives like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), resonate with long-term conservative goals, his grander visions regarding technology and humanity raised eyebrows among more traditional factions within the movement.
This juxtaposition of technological advancement and conservative principles formed a recurring theme throughout the weekend. Leibowitz shared stories highlighting the potential dangers of surveillance and technology’s encroachment on human agency, a narrative visible in the fringes of the tech-right alliance. As he navigated the complexities of Musk’s influence within the political landscape, Leibowitz remained hopeful that transparency and accountability could emerge from such initiatives, despite voicing concerns regarding Musk’s overarching ambitions.
Concerns regarding the burgeoning tech-right alliance echoed across the convention’s corridors, as younger attendees expressed skepticism about the direction of Musk’s influence. For instance, Logan Sajdowitz, a 22-year-old from Wisconsin, articulated his discomfort with the ideological inconsistencies of the newer conservative figures emerging from Silicon Valley. Even while engaging in conversations about Musk’s ambitious plans for transforming governance and society, there was an appreciation for the coherence of traditional conservative thought that seemed lacking in the techno-populist rhetoric.
As discussions unfolded, contrasting viewpoints flourished around the conference hall. Musk was heralded for his potential to cut government waste and inefficiency, with speakers like Vice President JD Vance emphasizing the need for patriotic spending. Yet disinterest grew towards topics like cryptocurrency, as attendees at CPAC were less captivated by traditional financial discussions than by the more bombastic declarations and performances from their contemporary heroes.
In a succession of highlights leading to Musk’s address, praise was heaped throughout the conference on efforts to dismantle frameworks they considered wasteful. Immigration issues took center stage, with speakers articulating stringent stances on illicit entry into the United States—a chorus that resonated with the right-leaning audience. However, underlying tensions bubbled as Bannon, formerly of the Trump administration, addressed concerns regarding a populist core being compromised by a techno-centric class of leaders.
For many at CPAC, Musk’s ascendance mirrored a larger ideological tug-of-war: were pop culture figures and tech elites allies in restoring a perceived lost American identity, or were they pioneers in a new, dissonant chapter of conservatism that undermined its foundational tenets? Bannon himself captured this sentiment, aligning Musk’s financial acumen with the structural dismantling of government barriers yet cautioning against the potential societal rift that such technological transformations could spur.
Musk’s enthralling presence, alongside the backdrop of internal conflicts and evolving definitions of conservatism, highlighted a movement undeniably shaped by its unique players. At the heart of this narrative lies a paradox: a fusion of capitalist innovation with a populist movement, grappling with its own contradictions amidst the rallying hope for a unified conservative front.
As the conference unfolded, sideline conversations revealed an atmosphere rife with expectancy for Trump’s surprise appearance, underscoring the enduring loyalty to the former president as the ultimate authority within the MAGA coalition. However, the concurrent anticipation surrounding Musk’s role hinted at an evolving dynamic—whether this evolution painted a shadow over Trump’s legacy or signaled a new chapter in political alignment remains a discussion for another day.
In essence, CPAC 2025 served as a representation of a conservative movement at a crossroads—intensifying ideological affiliations interwoven with a burgeoning realization of the complexities brought forth by its new faces. As factions tussle for influence and power, the recurring themes of loyalty, anxiety, and the quest for a cohesive narrative will likely set the stage for the coming political battles.
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www.theverge.com