Video: Elon Musk Delivers a Brutal Reality Check to Those Claiming He’s ‘Bought by Putin’—And It’s Perfect!
At the ongoing Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland, Elon Musk stole the show with a sharp-witted retort that left the crowd roaring and critics scrambling. During his electrifying speech on Saturday, Musk addressed persistent accusations from left-leaning pundits and Democrats that he’s a “bought asset of Putin,” delivering a line so perfect it’s already trending on X: “People sometimes say I’m a bought asset of Putin. I’m like, he can’t afford me.”
The remark, captured in a video shared by conservative commentator Benny Johnson, came as Musk discussed his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump’s administration. With CPAC attendees chanting “USA! USA!” the Tesla and SpaceX CEO used humor to dismantle baseless claims tying him to Russian President Vladimir Putin, especially amid Trump’s push for peace talks with Russia over Ukraine.
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These accusations have intensified recently, fueled by Musk’s vocal calls for reducing U.S. aid to Ukraine and his leadership in DOGE, which some critics argue aligns with Russian interests. Democrats and legacy media outlets have pointed to SpaceX’s satellite contracts or Musk’s tweets advocating negotiation with Russia as evidence of undue influence. But Musk’s quip—highlighting his estimated $200 billion net worth, far exceeding Russia’s economic capacity under sanctions—effectively shredded that narrative, drawing laughter and applause from the CPAC crowd, many of whom see him as a champion against the “deep state.”
Elon Musk on Ukraine: "Imagine if that was your son, your father… What are they dying for? What exactly are they dying for? Their line of engagement has barely moved for two years. Thousands of dead and dying in trenches, for what? I'll tell you for what: for the biggest graft… pic.twitter.com/bEUXcx6CVt
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) February 20, 2025
The timing couldn’t be more poignant. Just days ago, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian officials in Riyadh to discuss a U.S.-Russia peace plan for Ukraine, including controversial new elections that could unsettle President Volodymyr Zelensky. Musk’s comments at CPAC build on that momentum, reinforcing Trump’s “America First” approach while brushing off what he calls “ridiculous conspiracies.”
This isn’t Musk’s first CPAC mic-drop moment. Earlier in the day, he brandished a chainsaw—gifted by Argentine President Javier Milei—declaring it “the chainsaw for bureaucracy,” a symbol of DOGE’s mission to slash government waste. That stunt, too, had the deep state trembling, and this Putin jab follows suit, showcasing Musk’s knack for using humor to expose hypocrisy.
For Trump supporters, Musk’s retort is a victory lap—proof that the billionaire innovator can’t be bought, especially not by a sanctioned Russia. Critics may cry foul, but the CPAC audience’s reaction and the viral spread on X suggest Musk’s reality check hit the mark. As DOGE continues its audits and Trump pushes peace, this moment underscores why Musk’s unfiltered style resonates with conservatives: he’s not just talking tough—he’s laughing at the nonsense.
Natalie Dagenhardt is an American conservative writer who writes for Right Journalism! Natalie has described herself as a polemicist who likes to “stir up the pot,” and does not “pretend to be impartial or balanced, as broadcasters do,” drawing criticism from the left, and sometimes from the right. As a passionate journalist, she works relentlessly to uncover the corruption happening in Washington. She is a “constitutional conservative”.
