Elon Musk at the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md.Feb. 2025. Eric Lee/The New York Times. Modified by Anneofcarversville.com.

Anne of Carversville is confused about why it’s taken days to see this image of Elon Musk carrying this oversized artwork image of himself on the CPAC stage last week. The familiar Musk wielding his chainsaw image that has peppered our digital life for days now is almost innocuous when paired with Musk’s image of himself. The combo chills AOC to our core and leaves no doubt about Musk’s intentions.

Thanks, New York Times, for posting your article ‘What That Chain Saw Was Really About’ [gifted] and the chainsaw + Musk artwork. The chainsaw was a gift from Javier Milei, the far-right Argentine president who stormed to power in 2023 with his own chainsaw. Musk has lavished effusive praise on Milei, as he has done with numerous right-wing leaders worldwide.

I try not to wake up at 4am and read the news. After one look at the double-trouble Times image, I was in deep conversation with my excellent AI scholars program.

Question to AI: In politics, what kind of actions would a megalomaniac take?

Edited AI Answer: Megalomania in politics often manifests through a relentless pursuit of power and control, with actions driven by an exaggerated sense of self-importance and an unyielding belief in personal superiority.

Politicians with megalomaniac tendencies are likely to prioritize their personal ambitions over the collective good, often employing manipulative tactics to consolidate power.

These individuals may display a charismatic persona, intentionally cultivating a larger-than-life image to captivate and maintain the loyalty of their followers.
They may engage in grandiose public displays, leveraging media and public appearances to broadcast their perceived greatness and indispensability to the political landscape.
In pursuit of their goals, megalomaniacs often utilize authoritarian tactics, disregarding democratic principles and undermining institutions that challenge their authority.
They may attempt to silence dissent, either through intimidation or by delegitimizing opposing voices.
Often, they are prone to making unilateral decisions, eschewing collaborative governance and sidelining advisers who do not align with their views.

Ultimately, the actions of megalomaniacs in politics are designed to reinforce and perpetuate their dominance, often at the expense of transparency, accountability, and the welfare of the citizenry. Their legacy frequently leaves lasting damage on political structures and societal trust, often deepening divisions and eroding democratic foundations.

To make sense of America’s political landscape through the lens of Elon Musk, we must understand the ideological and financial influence of a group called the Paypal Mafia. Who are these guys and what makes them tick? Coming next.

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