Elon Musk spoke on the Conservative Political Motion Convention (CPAC) on Thursday, giving an odd and infrequently inarticulate on-stage interview to Newsmax presenter Rob Schmitt. Schmitt was all smiles and enthusiasm, and managed to steer Musk by way of the half hour, by no means pausing to look again on the apparent logical inconsistencies, numerous falsehoods, and mathematical errors that littered the interview. He even did a good job of conserving the whole timeslot from devolving into web memes, though he couldn’t cease Musk from loudly saying “I’m develop into meme.” Nonetheless, the CPAC crowd ate it up.
The next is a transcript created from CPAC’s personal livestream of the occasion. That is, I emphasize, not a parody.
Flashing lights, massive screens ablaze with animated graphics paying homage to the oughties. The CPAC brand spins round as generic rap-rock blasts throughout the gang.
Announcer: Girls and gents, it’s time for the DOGE replace. Please welcome Newsmax host, Rob Schmitt.
Schmitt: Man. That could be a huge crowd. And they don’t seem to be right here for me.
Schmitt: The way you guys doing? Good vibe this month, proper? After the perfect month we’ve ever had. Good to see you. Thanks for popping out. It’s good to see you. Let’s not kill any extra time, let’s convey out Elon Musk.
Crowd goes wild. Elon Musk enters stage, pumping each fists excessive within the air, strolling barely unsteadily. He’s sporting a black MAGA baseball cap and sun shades that appear like they had been purchased in a gasoline station in 1989. He continues to pump his fists as he makes his means in entrance of the beige arm chairs on the entrance of the stage. Rob Schmitt makes an attempt to get his consideration, however he turns and waves on the crowd.
Schmitt: We’ve bought yet another shock, in case this wasn’t sufficient.
Musk: Effectively, President, uh, President Milei has a present for me.
Schmitt: [hamming at camera] Javier Milei from Argentina, you guys know who that’s, proper?
Milei, a friendly-looking determine who resembles Bilbo Baggins proper earlier than he Smeagolifies, enters the stage carrying a chainsaw. He presents the chainsaw to the billionaire, who then waves it round unsteadily.
Musk: This… is… the chainsaw for paperwork. [pumps the chainsaw in the air] CHAINSAAAW!
He takes a beat to look at the chainsaw. He’s nonetheless sporting his sun shades. He turns round and begins wandering to the opposite facet of the stage, waving the chainsaw round.
Milei lurks awkwardly within the background, making an attempt to wave goodbye to Musk, earlier than Schmitt takes discover.
Schmitt: Mr. President, thanks a lot. Good to satisfy you. I like it. We like it.
Musk’s consideration snaps to Milei. The 2 males shake palms with the Argentinian president, who then departs.
Musk: The place ought to we put this —
Schmitt: They need it proper right here. [moves the chainsaw] Slightly stage prop.
Crowd screams for Elon Musk.
Musk: I really like you guys too!
Schmitt: Thanks guys. Have a seat.
The 2 males settle into the armchairs.
Schmitt: So, uh. Heheh. That was one thing.
Musk: [ineffectually suppressing grin] I’m develop into meme.
Schmitt chuckles obsequiously.
Musk: Yeah. Just about. I used to be dwelling the meme. It’s simply — I used to be dwelling the dream, and I used to be dwelling the meme, and that’s, just about what’s occurring.
Musk: I imply, DOGE began out as a meme. Give it some thought! [laughs] Now it’s actual!
Schmitt: [smiling affably] So —
Musk: [to audience, sunglasses still on] Isn’t that loopy!
Schmitt: It’s, it’s loopy.
“I used to be dwelling the dream, and I used to be dwelling the meme, and that’s, just about what’s occurring.”
Schmitt: Let me ask you this. A yr in the past, if somebody had advised you you’d be at CPAC and dealing with the president to utterly shred [dramatic pause] the federal government — the swamp — no matter you wish to name it. Would you imagine that?
Musk: No. [snickers] But it surely’s cool! That is superior. And I simply wanna say, thanks in your assist, I imply.
Musk: You guys are. You realize. We’re, , we’re making an attempt to get good issues finished, but additionally, like, , have a superb time doing it and, uh, , and have, like, a humorousness.
Musk: You realize. So, like, I imply, the type of the left wished to make comedy unlawful, , you may’t make enjoyable of something. So that is, like, comedy suuuuuucks. It’s like, nothing’s humorous. You may’t make enjoyable of something.
He waves his arms so emphatically that the massive gold chain he’s sporting clanks towards his mic.
Musk: It’s like, LEGALIZE COMEDY! YEEEAH! Legalize Comedy!
Schmitt: And we’ve shifted the whole tradition in simply the previous few months, the entire tradition of this nation has shifted dramatically simply due to that election.
Musk: Yeah, precisely. Freedom of speech, having enjoyable once more, it looks as if we must always… We must always have a superb time. You realize?
Schmitt: I imply, it’s a good time. All people on this place is so excited, and I haven’t, I imply, while you discuss to conservatives, all people’s completely satisfied.
Musk: [nodding emphatically] Yeah.
Schmitt: And all people feels this nice sense of aid, as a result of we had been going to hell for about 4 years.
Schmitt: It actually felt unhealthy, particularly towards the top, it felt actually unhealthy.
Musk: [still nodding] Yeah. I imply, I believed, I believed we had been type of heading for some extent of no return actually, , till, um, that’s why it was so important that President Trump win the election and, and that there, there be a Republican majority within the Home and Senate, which, because of you [gestures generally at CPAC audience] that, that has been completed. Yeah.
Schmitt: I wish to ask you, one of many largest questions I’ve for you is — you’ve been, , politically, you weren’t actually on one facet or the opposite for a very long time. You had been a businessman, lots of people, they steer clear of it now. You’re on a facet, you’ve chosen a facet. You’re sitting right here in a MAGA hat. How did that occur? What was the second?
Musk: It’s like, , darkish gothic MAGA. [preens over his hat, which features MAKE AMERICA GREAT in a blackletter typeface]
Schmitt: That’s a superb one. Was there a selected second? Was there a second that all of it modified?
Musk: Yeah, after I realized I used to be a idiot.
He laughs, and his chain clanks towards his mic once more.
Musk: However no, I used to be, I suppose, uh… yeah, I imply, I’d say, I used to be like, politically impartial for, for fairly some time. You realize. You realize, leaning a little bit Democrat. You realize. [winces theatrically]
Schmitt: So then how do you go from that to this? [points at CPAC audience]
Musk: [sigh] Effectively, uh, it —
Schmitt: Did they go loopy?
Musk: [laughs] Yeah, they did — they did go loopy. I imply that complete cancel tradition and, , making an attempt to, making an attempt to cease freedom of speech, and um, infringe upon, simply on the whole, infringe upon individuals’s private freedoms. You realize, they simply need state management, state management of what you say… They wanna, they wanna, , take away your weapons, and the rationale they wanna take away your weapons, is like, so there’s nothing you are able to do to oppose them. So it’s type of like, , I simply, I simply, I similar to. We, we, we, we simply want to revive the basic parts of what made America nice, which is, uh, freedom and alternative.
Schmitt: We’re seeing lots of these freedoms disappearing within the West. It’s not nearly America. We’re watching, we’re all watching Europe and figuring out that they’re about 50, 100 years forward of us, proper? As a result of they bought an early begin, and we’re watching how they’re devolving, and also you’re making an attempt to put it aside from occurring right here.
“I imply, in Europe, they put individuals in jail for memes. Yeah. You realize, I’m like, that’s insane.”
Musk: I imply, in Europe, they put individuals in jail for memes. Yeah. You realize, I’m like, that’s insane.
Schmitt: They’re collapsing. They’re a collapsing society. It feels that means.
Musk: It… feels… like…
Schmitt: France was nicer 50 years in the past than this.
Schmitt: I don’t assume you may query it.
Musk: Yeah. Um. so. Yeah. So. Yeah. I imply. Actually.
He seems to be making an attempt to begin a sentence. Finally he breaks down laughing. Somebody within the crowd cheers, he turns to them.
Musk: Yeah, I really like you too! I imply. I actually, I actually, I actually simply wish to do helpful issues, like, , mainly construct merchandise, , present services which can be which can be good and I wasn’t actually that thinking about being political. It, simply, like, there was a sure level, no alternative. Yeah. So, yeah.
Schmitt: Can I ask you — on the identical facet of that coin — what’s it like going from impartial to being vilified, largely vilified by the media? I believe you’re —
Musk: What? No. Actually? HANHHANHHHAHA!
Schmitt: I imply, activate a few of these channels, brother. I imply, they’re indignant at you. Does it hassle you in any respect?
Musk: I imply, had been they chanting for my loss of life? I suppose that’s a little bit, … like, the track’s not even that gooooood. And it’s like, it’s like, you name {that a} loss of life chant? [wriggles torso while seated] That’s noooothing, pleeease.
Schmitt: They’ve been singing so much these days. There’s lots of music these days. It’s not good music both. Yeah, yeah. I’d say that they’re, , watching what you’re doing with DOGE is simply that — individuals love it.
Schmitt: I imply, I’ve all the time appeared on the authorities and… I’ve all the time appeared on the authorities. I’ve seen this huge machine that, and also you simply know that they waste as a result of they don’t care. No person might. There’s extra money coming. They don’t care. You’re slicing all this out. All people on this nation is aware of that the federal government is filled with waste, fraud, and abuse, and also you’re doing the work, and the People like it. Watching their response politically to this, I can’t imagine how unhealthy they’re responding to this. I don’t understand how you’re going to take a seat there and scream and complain as a result of they’re slicing waste out of the federal government and attempt to win one other election. How do you attempt to win on that?
Musk: Effectively, at this level, I’m like, I’m undecided how a lot of the left is even actual.
Schmitt: Like, how a lot was propped up by our cash?
Musk: Yeah, you see, like, these, these type of faux rallies with hardly any individuals and the media will, like, body it, [making a rectangle with his fingers] and like, , get all six individuals , within the body, nevertheless it’s like, no one else is there, like, simply, it doesn’t have fashionable assist, um. However there’s, however then, however then you definately be taught that, like, there’s a whole lot of billions of {dollars} going to those so-called NGOs, and that, and it’s your tax {dollars} which can be funding issues which can be basically anti-American.
Schmitt: They usually’re propping up their narrative. A whole lot of that authorities cash has been propping up a left that I don’t assume is, I don’t assume is as robust as they made it appear.
Musk: In actual fact, an enormous quantity of your tax {dollars} goes to legacy media firms, immediately from the from, from the federal government.
Schmitt: The federal government needs to take over media.
Musk: Yeah, it’s horrible.
Schmitt: Yeah, that’s why we have now X.
Musk: Yeah! And that’s —
Schmitt: That’s why you spent $44 billion — I imply, there’s some huge cash. Greater than it was most likely price, nevertheless it had, there was a message.
Musk: Freedom is priceless. [nods sagely as crowd goes wild]
Schmitt: Most likely one of the essential investments this nation’s ever seen. In case you gotta defend the First Modification, it’s not rather more essential than that.
Musk: Yeah. I imply, I bought lots of criticism, and other people, individuals, mentioned, nicely, that proves he’s an enormous fool from a, , like, look, he purchased it for like no matter, $44 billion and now it’s price, like, eight cents.
Schmitt: And it’s not price eight cents!
Musk: You realize, there’s that, however, however yeah, it was primarily to, , purchase…. freedom… of expression. And —
Schmitt: As soon as’s that’s gone it’s throughout, throughout, yeah, tyranny is basically fast after that.
Musk: Yeah. I imply, like, . All of the type of federal cash going to media firms is what, what helps clarify why the legacy media all says the identical factor on the similar time. Yeah, like, isn’t it, like, it’s like, bizarre, like, you set them up with, like, , like, when…
Schmitt: [jumping in] They’re mouthpieces for…
Musk: For the state! Sure.
The billionaire, who owns a social media platform, and is supposedly additionally a federal official, nods.
Schmitt: That’s what we’ve come to know. Yeah, scary.
Musk: Yeah. I just like the theme with it, the place, the place, the place, as a result of they’re all the time saying, like, menace to our democracy, menace to our democracy, however in case you simply changed democracy with paperwork…. It makes lots of sense.
Schmitt: Makes excellent sense.
Musk: [smirking] Huge menace to the paperwork.
Schmitt: That’s precisely proper. Let’s speak about, let’s speak about these DOGE dividend checks that everyone’s speaking about this week. And I do know you tweeted out that you just’re gonna as a result of [turns to audience] Does all people need, like, a $5,000 test within the mail? That sounds type of good, proper?
Schmitt: And the perfect half about it will be figuring out the place it got here from, that that’s 5 grand that you just despatched them final yr.
Musk: Completely, it’s cash that’s taken away from, from issues which can be damaging to the nation, that and from organizations that hate you, to you. That’s superior.
Schmitt: Does it look like —
Musk: I imply that’s like, superb. [laughs] The spoils of battle, ?
Schmitt: Is there traction on that?
Musk: Yeah, yeah. So yeah. [inaudible] …the president. He’s supportive of that. And so it feels like, , that’s one thing we’re going to do. In order we’re discovering financial savings, that’s going to translate on to reductions in tax. Yeah.
Schmitt: I imply, I believe they fired 6,000 individuals on the IRS at present, and I believe, they mentioned final evening that they’re speaking about shutting down the IRS.
Schmitt: I believe it’s honest. I believe individuals ought to understand that is, I imply, the sum of money that we mentioned we ship Washington, like 5 or 6 trillion a yr, that’s such an ungodly sum of money. I imply, like, a trillion seconds, is like 30 years or one thing like that. I imply, that’s how a lot we ship them. They usually appear to by no means have sufficient. There should be so much you may lower.
Musk: No, completely. Individuals ask me, What’s essentially the most shocking factor that you just’ve encountered while you go to DC? You realize, we’re in DC. And I mentioned, nicely, essentially the most shocking factor is the size of the expenditures, and truly, uh, how simple it’s to with a simply, simply while you add caring and competence, the place there was absent earlier than you may really save billions of {dollars} generally in, in an hour. Yeah, like, it’s wild.
Schmitt: After which they scoff at it and say, oh, just a few billion right here there. I imply, the way in which they’re speaking about it, they, you may see they don’t care. It’s so it’s such little cash in comparison with how a lot they’re used to losing. That’s what’s actually scary.
Musk: Um, yeah, no, precisely. However clearly it’s, it’s, it simply exhibits that they actually lack empathy for the common taxpayer who’s working arduous, paying, paying taxes, after which, after which they are saying, oh, one million {dollars} doesn’t matter. I’m like, I believe it issues so much to individuals . So what are you speaking about?
Schmitt: I’d wish to have it. Let me ask you a query. You realize, I do know the President pretty nicely. Watched him survive two assassination makes an attempt. The second, had the primary one not occurred, the second would have gotten him, as a result of with out these additional guys, they’d have by no means seen that gun poking by way of the fence on the golf course.
Musk: Isn’t it thoughts blowing that this has occurred? I imply, and simply and what? By the way in which, why will we nonetheless know nothing about that man in Butler, what’s happening? However uh Kash is gonna resolve it! Yeah! Woo! [pumps arms, but only about halfway up]
Schmitt: Only a couple hours in the past, I noticed that the safety element that you just had are available with is gigantic.
Musk: It’s not that huge, possibly it needs to be larger.
Schmitt: It would. I believe you might most likely afford it. However, I imply, how involved are you about your security? I imply, it’s you. Are you? You’re a wished man. Are you? Are you?
Musk: So I look, I’m open to concepts for bettering safety. I’ve to let you know. Like I don’t really have a loss of life want. I assume. However, , it’s not that simple. So, yeah, I imply, however I’ve like that, even like individuals like President Bukele from El Salvador, who managed to place in jail like a 100,000, like, murderous thugs. And he was like, he known as me. He’s like, I’m fearful about your safety. I’m like, YOU’RE fearful about my safety? Okay, . I imply, yeah.
Schmitt: Discuss guts to try this down there.
Musk: I imply, yeah, completely.
Schmitt: After which survive.
Musk: Like, I’m like, I used to be like, how did you set all these thugs in jail with out dying, as a result of issues like that may have been not simple. You realize.
Schmitt: Effectively, there’s the President, as one in every of his high attorneys is now investigating, I suppose Chuck Schumer, for threats towards SCOTUS. Congress, on the Democrats’ facet, for saying, , mainly saying he’s gonna convey a battle to you, like a combat to you. I imply, the rhetoric… you guys are screwing with issues that aren’t alleged to be messed with.
Musk: We’re preventing [inaudible]
Schmitt: — lots of people that actually don’t need that to occur.
Musk: We’re preventing Matrix huge time right here. It’s got to be finished.
Schmitt: Yeah, and it actually does. [brushing over the Matrix reference] What’s happening with — inform us about Fort Knox. Kentucky. It’s a navy base. It’s a ton of gold, tons and tons and tons.
Musk: 5,000 tons of gold, one thing.
Schmitt: 5,000 are there within the floor and like this. I imply, it’s a really safe factor.
Musk: I believe all of us wish to see it.
Schmitt: I’d like to see it like this.
Musk: That is your gold, by the way in which. It’s the general public’s gold.
Schmitt: Do you assume it’s not there?
“All this gold at Fort Knox. It’s the general public’s gold. It’s your gold. So, like, I believe you have got, like, a proper to see it.”
Musk: I don’t know, however I believe I simply wish to see it. Yeah, we wish to go see it and simply ensure that. Like, ensure that, like, did any person spray paint some lead or one thing, , yeah, like, is that this actual gold? You might need to chew the bar. You realize. However I believe, truthfully, , a part of this additionally is rather like, let’s, , let’s have some enjoyable. And, , like, like, I mentioned, this, all this gold at Fort Knox. It’s the general public’s gold. It’s your gold. So, like, I believe you have got, like, a proper to see it.
Schmitt: And take a tour.
Musk: Yeah, I believe we must always have a — do a — do a tour. And the President final evening was like, that’s, I believe he’s in favor of it. That may be cool. After which we, like, it needs to be like a reside tour, like, you’ll see what’s happening, open the door, [gestures dramatically] like, what’s behind it, nicely, and there’s, , I believe I’d watch that. Yeah.
Schmitt: I imply, what’s, what’s 5,000 tons of is it? Is it the dimensions of this —
Musk: Gotta be fairly huge, . It’s gotta be lots of different stuff in there, like, round, like, I don’t even… bought another stuff in there.
Schmitt: Are you occupied with auditing the Federal Reserve as nicely, which is clearly —
Musk: [laughs, shrugs] Yeah, positive.
Schmitt: — regulatory financial system. I think about you assume the waste has bought to be in all places.
Musk: Yeah, no, waste. Waste is just about in all places. Individuals ask, like, how will you discover waste? And, like, in DC, I’m like, look, it’s like being in a room, and this goal, the wall, the roofs and the ground are all targets. So it’s like, you’re gonna shut your eyes and go shoot in any path [laughs] you may’t miss, . So it’s, it’s fairly wild, like, like, you simply push on issues a little bit bit, and also you save billions of {dollars}, like, just a bit bit, , it’s wild.
Schmitt: Scary, isn’t it?
Musk: It’s why I say like, it truly is underrated, in case you add caring and competence, how a lot issues enhance. Yeah, and, , and we simply discover so many completely loopy issues, which, , clearly we’re sharing with the general public. We put up every little thing we be taught, , simply , so you may see it, .
Musk: It’s like, isn’t it? Like, it’s completely wild. Like, we did simply, we simply did, like, a test on the database on Social Safety. Like, says, what number of, so much People, alive People eligible for Social Safety, are there? And based on the database, it’s over 400 million. And we’re like, wait a second, and what number of are you once more? Yeah. After which, like, we discovered, like, one particular person in there’s, like, 306 years outdated. I’m like, [inaudible from crosstalk] I imply, yeah, this, America doesn’t exist earlier than at the moment. Like, so, why? So, , possibly it’s simply me, however I believe it’s a pink flag. I don’t know.
Schmitt: However are there indications that there have been checks going to these individuals, or any of these individuals?
Musk opens his mouth and pauses.
Schmitt: I suppose that’s the query.
Schmitt: I get the Social Safety Administration is dumb, however are they paying these individuals? Are they that dumb? I don’t know.
Musk: A bunch of cash goes out from the Social Safety Administration, and, in actual fact, from all entitlement packages.
Schmitt: $72 billion in waste in like seven years. It’s $10 billion a yr.
Musk: Effectively, I believe the tough estimate from Normal — Authorities Accountability workplaces, there’s over $500 billion in 40 years.
Schmitt: [leans in] Sorry, 5?
Musk: [enunciating] 5 hundred bill-i-on.
Musk: Per yr, per yr.
Schmitt: On Social Safety?
Musk: No, no, on all, on all —
Schmitt: On all authorities?
Musk: On all entitlements, all entitlements. Yeah, it type of really is smart. Once you have a look at the factor from a high stage and say, like, okay, there’s $7 trillion of spending by the federal government. What proportion do you assume is fraudulent? Okay, precisely like a conservative estimate of the $7 trillion could be 10 %. Conservative.
Schmitt: Most likely larger than that, yeah, precisely like 1 / 4 each greenback, proper?
Musk: But when the fraud is simply 10 % of $7 trillion, you’ve bought $700 billion of fraud, and by the way in which, so it’s like, very easy to benefit from the federal authorities. Very simple.
The billionaire federal contractor nods knowingly.
Schmitt: Take a look at COVID! Take a look at all these scams! I imply, it’s unbelievable!
“Pay attention, if there’s going to be fraud, it ought to at the least be home”
Musk: It appears to be like like, for, by way of covid funds, yeah, there was one thing like $200 billion of covid cost fraud taken by fraudsters in a foreign country. That’s like, I believe, hear, if there’s going to be fraud, it ought to at the least be home so, . However they managed to get $200 billion in a foreign country. I’m like, what! Why didn’t we discover that?
Schmitt: Let me ask you, let’s do immigration right here for a second. You realize, there’s this transfer now that Trump’s newest factor is that he lower, he’s going to chop funding any type of cash that results in the palms of unlawful immigrants. So in case you’re funding these sanctuary cities and states, that’s how they thrive, proper? They’re paying for these lodges. That’s all federal cash. In case you bought a lodge in your metropolis in New York, you bought all these lodges stuffed with migrants. That’s not state cash. That’s the feds are overlaying that, he’s going to chop all that. It’s actually arduous to deport 15 million individuals. And it looks as if the transfer now could be, let’s make it in order that they go away on their very own. If there’s not a dole system for them, if they’ll’t get their palms on lodge rooms and cash, they’re going to return, particularly if there’s no work.
Musk: Effectively, I believe it’s actually essential for individuals to grasp that the Biden administration despatched any potential cash that they may, they may, if there was cash they may ship to facilitate and amplify unlawful immigration, they despatched it. Okay. They took cash from FEMA meant for serving to People in misery, and despatched that cash to luxurious lodges for unlawful immigrants in New York. That’s an outrage.
Musk: They really did that, and never solely that, even after the President signed an government order saying it has to cease, the FEMA, the no matter deep state bureaucrats nonetheless pressed ship on $80 million final week to go to the Roosevelt Lodge in New York and different locations final week. And now, and now, they’re mad that they’ve bought stopped, they usually’re like making an attempt to sue to have it’s restored. It’s like, the gumption.
Schmitt: You assume they’re creating a brand new voter class? You assume that was the aim? Once they opened up the borders for 4 years, create a brand new voter class, get them citizenship, get them in.
Musk: Yeah, lots of this stuff like, you don’t really should assume some grand conspiracy. You simply want to take a look at fundamental incentives. So if the incentives, basically, if the likelihood that an unlawful goes to vote Democrat sooner or later, whether or not it’s dishonest, however ultimately they’ll develop into residents. But when likelihood is like 80, 90 % simply have a look at California, which is tremendous majority Dem. After which the inducement is to maximise the variety of illegals within the nation. That’s the reason the Biden administration was pushing to get as many illegals as potential and spend each greenback potential to get as many. As a result of each one in every of them is a buyer. Everyone seems to be a voter. So the entire thing was a large voter importation rip-off.
Musk: Very apparent. After which, furthermore, then, they really created the CBP One border app factor the place they had been, which is, like, the place they may, they’d actually fly individuals in. It’s not like, like, on the level at which , individuals being flown in at your expense —
Schmitt: — sending planes —
Musk: Like constructing a wall up doesn’t work.
Schmitt: They’re actually flying them in. No different nation on the planet would do one thing like this. No person is that this silly.
Musk: Yeah. After which we discovered that there was, like $100 million contract given to some man in London, really, whereas, , yeah, nicely, the CBP One app. So, so then, so that they’re flying illegals into the swing states. And in case you’ve bought like, a margin of victory of possibly 20,000 individuals, and also you fly 200,000 illegals into that state, it’s not gonna be a swing state for lengthy.
Schmitt: Change the numbers. Possibly in 4, eight years.
Schmitt: It’s a protracted recreation. It’s only a matter of time.
Musk: So it’d take, like, a yr for an asylum seeker to get on the inexperienced card and 5 years for the citizenship, it’s an funding that’s assured to repay. It’s only a query of when.
Schmitt: All of them keep in mind who introduced them in and who left them right here.
Musk: Precisely, precisely. I wish to return. I wish to speak about my huge deal like, I believe lots of people like, don’t fairly admire that this was an precise, actual rip-off at scale to tilt the scales of democracy in America.
Schmitt: Yet one more Biden query. I keep in mind when, , after they would do the electrical automobile stuff, they’d all the time attempt to field you out, though you have got the one electrical automobile anyone needs.
Schmitt: You mentioned, I believe this week that you just assume that Biden left these astronauts up in house as a result of he didn’t wish to give you a chance to avoid wasting them. Make NASA look unhealthy, make the non-public sector look higher, make you look good. You imagine that?
Musk: Yeah, no, completely. So, after all.
Schmitt: I type of agree. Why would he wish to allow you to assist them come down while you’re supporting the president?
Musk: The Biden administration was, was attacking me subsequent stage. I imply, the Division of Justice — or Injustice, underneath the Biden administration — was, I imply, they had been suing SpaceX. They’re suing SpaceX for not hiring asylum seekers. And we’re like, nevertheless it’s really unlawful for us to rent asylum seekers as a result of we’re… rocket expertise is roofed underneath ITAR guidelines, which which means it’s a sophisticated weapons expertise, yeah. And so we are able to solely rent everlasting residents or inexperienced card or residents, proper? Like, so we’re damned if we do, damned if we don’t. We mentioned like, so how can they sue us for not hiring asylum seekers when it’s really unlawful for us to take action. However nonetheless, there was a giant Division of Justice or Injustice case about this towards SpaceX, so clearly it was an antagonistic scenario, and people astronauts had been alleged to be up there for eight days, and now they’re up for eight months. Does that make any sense? And we, we, we, clearly might have introduced them again sooner, however they didn’t need anybody who might assist President Trump to look good. Mainly.
Musk: That’s the, that’s the that’s the difficulty.
Schmitt: A whole lot of them are saying proper now that the rationale that you just wish to get into Social Safety, that you just wish to get into all of those totally different — into Treasury and issues like that, is that you just’re in search of private data and also you’re making an attempt to earn more money.
Schmitt: I’ve by no means met anyone as wealthy as you that cared much less about cash in my life. Each time I hear a narrative about you, you’re sleeping on a sofa of another man in a metropolis that you might purchase the whole factor. I don’t assume you care about cash, dude.
Musk: I imply, I, I, I. [laughs] Pay attention, like if I steal Social Safety, I can lastly purchase good issues. Yeah?
Schmitt: And on that very same query, they’re additionally speaking about, you guys are going to finish Social Safety, you’re going to finish Medicare, you’re going to finish this stuff. I don’t think about that dialog has been had with the President, and that’s that’s the plan.
Musk: No, in actual fact, the actions that we’re taking with the assist of the President and the assist of the companies, is, what is going to save Medicare? What is going to save Social Safety?
Musk: And and, as a result of if the nation goes bancrupt, if all, if all the cash is simply spent on paying curiosity on debt, there’s no cash left for something. Yeah, in order that’s, that’s the rationale I’m doing this, is as a result of I appeared on the huge image right here, and it’s like, man, our debt’s getting uncontrolled. The curiosity funds, curiosity on the nationwide debt now exceeds the whole protection division funds.
Schmitt: A trillion a yr. In curiosity, simply to hold the cash that we owe, is a trillion a yr.
“So like, I imply, a rustic’s no totally different from an individual. Nation overspends, nation goes bankrupt. Identical with, similar as an individual who overspends goes bankrupt.”
Musk: Rising quickly. So like, I imply, a rustic’s no totally different from an individual. Nation overspends, nation goes bankrupt. Identical with, similar as an individual who overspends goes bankrupt. So it’s not like optionally available to resolve this stuff. It’s important.
Schmitt: So we’re gonna go bankrupt.
Schmitt: Couple minutes left right here. Russia, there’s an enormous push —
Musk: Oh, yeah, yeah. Individuals like, type of like, the top, like, yeah, , I’m a, I’m a purchased asset of Putin, yeah, I’m like, he can’t afford me.
Schmitt: Yeah, I believe, I believe you’re price greater than Russia.
Musk: [mugging at crowd] Give it some thought! [giggles]
Schmitt: So that you’re making an attempt to finish, you’re making an attempt to finish a battle. Ending a battle all the time means it’s a must to compromise. It’s a must to negotiate with an enemy or an adversary. That’s simply what it’s. And proper now, they’re lambasting the president for making an attempt a unique methodology to battle that they haven’t been in a position to finish for 3 and a half years. Three years. Yeah, they, , they’re saying Trump’s blaming Zelensky for the invasion. How do you, how do you course of the entire negativity towards him for making an attempt to finish this battle?
Musk: Effectively, initially, I believe we must always have empathy for the individuals dying on the entrance traces. That’s an important factor. If individuals have been dying, , like, what number of extra years is that this alleged to go on? And picture if that was your son, your father, , what are they dying for? What precisely are they dying for? That line has, the road of engagement has barely moved for 2 years. There’s a complete bunch of individuals useless in trenches for what. And I’ll let you know what for, what it’s like for the most important graft machine that I’ve ever seen in my life, that’s for what. It’s unreal, just like the sum of money that’s being taken in graft and bribery is disgusting. And so what’s really occurring is that these, these , individuals, these poor guys, are getting despatched right into a meat grinder for cash. That’s what’s really happening. And must cease.
Schmitt: Trump is so pragmatic on this. He simply, he’s simply taking a look at it, and he’s saying it’s Ukraine, it’s not our nation, it’s not a NATO ally. I simply wish to see individuals not dying. I wish to see, on either side, I imply, take into consideration what number of younger — so many younger males have died in Ukraine that the military is beginning to age out. The navy is ageing out. You get 40 and 50 yr outdated guys preventing in a battle as a result of there’s no one left that’s not killed or maimed of their 20s. That’s the truth. Take into consideration how many individuals that’s, in case you’re a humanitarian in any respect, you simply bought to finish the battle, like, it doesn’t matter what, simply get it over with.
“The president has lots of empathy. He actually cares. You realize, he’s good, he’s a superb man.”
Musk: Sure, individuals, they should cease dying and the graft machines bought to cease, , so, and I believe people who don’t, lots of people on the market don’t understand, like, the president has lots of empathy. He actually cares. You realize, he’s good, he’s a superb man.
Schmitt: I bought yet another for you. I’ve been fascinated by you for a really very long time.
Schmitt: I’ve simply, I simply, I’ve by no means seen anyone that may, , achieve this many issues on the similar time. I imply, you’ve bought the rockets, you bought the vehicles. I’ve all the time wished to ask you, what’s it like inside your thoughts, like, this, is it simply 1,000 miles an hour? I imply, are you —
Schmitt: Is it simply not? I imply, simply, does it ever cease? Do you sleep? How a lot do you sleep? Paint us an image of inside the thoughts of a genius? Like, how do you… are you able to reply that query? It’s not a simple query.
He pauses. He’s nonetheless sporting the sun shades, having by no means taken them off this whole time.
Musk: My thoughts is a storm. So. It’s a storm.
Musk: However, however, I imply, let me possibly let you know one thing like, you didn’t ask the query, however, however I believe it’s price nonetheless, possibly simply elaborating on one thing, which is, , I grew up in South Africa and… however my morality was knowledgeable by America. I learn comedian books, , performed Dungeons & Dragons.
Very small part of crowd cheers.
Musk: And I watched American TV exhibits and, like, it appeared like America cared about being the great guys, , about doing the fitting factor and, and that’s really fairly uncommon, by the way in which. [laughs]
Schmitt: On the planet, it’s very uncommon. Yeah, it’s not like, really, international locations don’t do this.
Musk: No, they don’t, no. And so I used to be like, Yeah, , you wish to be this good. You wish to be on the facet of excellent. You wish to care about what’s proper. And, and uh, yeah. In order that’s, that’s, yeah, what I imagine in.
Viewers member screams that they love him.
Schmitt: I gave you, I gave you a troublesome one on the finish.
Schmitt: So yeah, that’s nice. That’s nice. [to crowd] Elon Musk.
Crowd goes wild. The digicam zooms out, exhibiting a standing ovation.
Schmitt: Thanks. Thanks a lot. Respect you.
Elon Musk recommences wandering backwards and forwards throughout the stage, waving the chainsaw. He pauses; an odd rectangular form is bobbing by way of the gang. It floats up in the direction of Musk, he grabs it. It seems to be a really massive fan artwork portray of Musk himself. He grabs the portray with one hand and the chainsaw with the opposite.
