‘Nazi’ Salute, Chainsaw And Millions: 'Dogefather' Musk's Key Moments As Senior Advisor In White House

The 'Nazi' Salute

Being Trump's right-hand man took on a new meaning when the world's richest person made headlines by dramatically throwing out his arm, twice, at a rally celebrating Trump's January 20 inauguration. Standing at the podium with the presidential seal, Musk's right arm was extended, his hand open, palm facing downwards. Historians concurred with Democratic politicians that the pointed gesture resembled precisely a Nazi salute. The Tesla CEO, whose electric cars were promptly referred to as "swasticars" by critics, scoffed at the suggestion, posting on his X social media platform, "The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired." Whatever the display symbolised, Nazi-themed memes and jokes dominated public responses to the day that was intended to celebrate Trump's victorious return to power.

Backing Germany's far-right

Fresh from his salute shock, Musk joined in virtually for a January rally for Germany's anti-immigration, ultra-nationalist AfD party. Musk told rally-goers, "You really are the best hope" for Germany and called upon them to be "proud of German culture and German values." His support for the AfD rattled mainstream German parties, who termed it interference by Trump's advisor. Vandals torched four Teslas in Berlin streets in retaliation. AfD still finished second in the election behind conservatives in Germany despite historic gains at the polls.

Brings Kid To The White House

Dressed down in MAGA hats and t-shirts, Musk became a near-constant presence in the White House. He brought his four-year-old son, too, for a while. When Musk made his first appearance before the press since arriving in Washington to operate DOGE, the child was trotted out, and Trump said: "This is X and he's a great guy." The son was caught on camera picking his nose as his dad bragged about his budget-cutting adventures, standing beside the Oval Office's Resolute Desk.

Bring A Chainsaw To The Budget

Unelected and not confirmed by the Senate, Musk has consistently excoriated the "unelected, fourth unconstitutional branch of government, which is the bureaucracy" and moved promptly to savage the federal workforce and budget. To demonstrate his leadership style, Musk wore shades and wielded a chainsaw on stage at a Washington conservative gathering. It was presented by right-wing Argentine President Javier Milei, who used the device as a symbol of cutting bureaucracy and government spending in his native country.

Overshadowing Trump's cabinet

At Trump's inaugural cabinet meeting on February 26, Musk took center stage despite the fact that he is not a member of the cabinet. He stood towering over a doorway, sporting a t-shirt with the phrase "Tech Support" emblazoned across the front as the cabinet convened. Even without a literal seat at the table, Musk, who helped bankroll Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, overshadowed the country's most powerful officials. Trump downplayed this tension shortly before the meeting, posting on his social media platform: "ALL CABINET MEMBERS ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH ELON."

Trump, The Tesla salesman

As Musk's Tesla automobile corporation was battered on the stock exchange and sales plummeted, and his brand was being vandalized, the White House held a well-publicised test drive to restore Tesla's image. With a Tesla Cybertruck and a Model S on the South Portico, Trump and Musk made a pitch. Trump claimed to have bought one. The stunt didn't ultimately reverse Tesla's falling sales, with the electric vehicle company reporting a 71 percent decline in first-quarter profits.

Fails To Sway The Court Election

Money can't buy you everything, as Musk learned, after investing 25 million USD in the costliest court election in US history to attempt to elect a pro-Trump Republican judge to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Musk compensated voters 100 USD to sign a referendum opposing "activist judges" and even distributed 1 million checks to voters, entreating the public to vote for the conservative judge. The court's docket was filled with landmark cases involving abortion and reproductive rights, the power of public sector unions, voting requirements and congressional district maps. The US state instead selected a liberal judge by a large margin in April, disappointing the billionaire, who had spent about 277 million USD in 2024 in the national election to assist in getting Trump into office.

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Tariff Controversy

After Trump revealed his broad US tariffs, which hit hard among major trading partners China and the European Union, Musk argued for a free-trade area between the United States and Europe. Later on, he referred to Trump's economic advisor Peter Navarro, a long-time supporter of trade barriers, as "dumber than a sack of bricks." Navarro had aimed at Tesla, stating the carmaker primarily imported assembled large parts from Asian factories. Musk replied by presenting studies that he claimed indicated "Tesla has the most American-made cars." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to downplay the public spat, stating that "boys will be boys."

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Big, Beautiful Bill

Musk was "disappointed" by Trump's polarizing mega-bill, which provides sweeping tax breaks and spending reductions, in an unusual break with the Republican leader. The billionaire tech mogul said the "One Big, Beautiful Bill Act" passed by the US House of Representatives and now going to the Senate, would raise the deficit and counteract the efforts of DOGE, which has laid off tens of thousands of individuals. "I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing," Musk told CBS News.