Elon Musk is no stranger to the spotlight—or to controversy. But even by his own headline-grabbing standards, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s latest appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) was one for the books.

With the world’s richest man now serving as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a “special government employee” role that, while not officially in the White House, has given Musk a unique platform—every move he makes is scrutinized. Still, few expected Musk’s CPAC appearance to become the viral sensation it did, thanks in no small part to a single, lingering question: Why was he wearing sunglasses indoors, all day, every day?

A PROMISE KEPT—AND A FASHION STATEMENT

As Musk strode onto the CPAC stage, onlookers couldn’t help but notice his “bizarre” ensemble: oversized sunglasses, a gleaming gold chain, and a shirt boldly declaring, “I’m not procrastinating I’m doing side quests.” The look was quickly dissected across social media, with some dubbing it “iconic” and others simply baffled.

But Musk, never one to shy away from online speculation, soon confirmed the real reason behind his shades. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk replied “Yup ” to a viral thread pointing out that he’d promised in 2024 to don the exact outfit if Donald Trump was re-elected President and DOGE began operating.

It turns out, the sunglasses weren’t about hiding from the spotlight—they were about keeping a promise, and maybe, about making a little history of his own.

CPAC’S WILDEST MOMENTS: CHAINSAWS, SOUND BITES, AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES

Even for Musk, the CPAC conference was a wild ride. Between allegations that he’s secretly fathered a 13th child and his ex, Grimes, making public pleas on X, Musk’s personal life was trending before he even took the stage. But at CPAC, it was all about the politics—and the memes.

The conference’s most surreal moment came when Argentinian President and Trump ally Javier Milei presented Musk with a gilded chainsaw on stage, a tongue-in-cheek nod to Musk’s vow to slash $2 trillion from government spending. Musk, grinning behind his shades, accepted the gift as the crowd roared.

But the spectacle didn’t stop there. Musk became a walking soundbite, declaring, “I am become meme,” and, “My mind is a storm,” as he fielded questions from Newsmax host Rob Schmitt. At one point, Musk even echoed former President Trump’s skepticism about the Fort Knox gold depository, saying, “We just wanna see it and make sure somebody didn’t spray paint lead or something.”

CRITICS, CHEERS, AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA FRENZY

Not everyone was impressed. Some critics on X claimed Musk “could barely string a sentence together,” while rumors swirled about his health and state of mind. The trending topic “ketamine” briefly overtook “Grimes” as users speculated about Musk’s on-stage energy—though there’s no evidence to support any of those claims.

Still, the conference wasn’t short on support for Musk. Despite detractors, he received some of the loudest cheers of the event and earned multiple standing ovations. His supporters praised his candor, his willingness to poke fun at himself, and his commitment to government reform—even if his methods (and wardrobe) were unconventional.

A NEW KIND OF GOVERNMENT REFORMER

Musk’s role as head of DOGE has been as controversial as it is unprecedented. Although the Department of Government Efficiency isn’t an official cabinet post, Musk has been tasked with slashing federal spending, a mission that’s made him both a hero to fiscal conservatives and a target for critics.

Recently, Musk made waves by targeting Medicare for cost-cutting, sparking fierce debate across party lines. He’s also faced scrutiny for being ordered to destroy financial information on millions of Americans—a move that raised eyebrows among privacy advocates.

But for Musk, CPAC was a chance to take his message straight to the public—and to his critics. “I’m here to make government work better,” he said, “even if it means breaking a few eggs—and maybe a few dress codes—along the way.”

THE MEMES THAT KEEP ON GIVING

If there’s one thing Musk understands, it’s the power of a meme. His “I am become meme” declaration instantly trended, with fans and critics alike sharing images of his CPAC look alongside classic Musk moments. One viral meme showed Musk photoshopped onto a video game character, complete with sunglasses and a chainsaw, captioned: “When you finish the main quest and start the government side quests.”

Even Musk’s critics couldn’t resist the meme-ification. Steve Bannon, former Trump advisor and frequent Musk antagonist, called him a “parasitic illegal immigrant” who “wants to impose his freak experiments and play-act as God without any respect for the country’s history, values or traditions.” The two didn’t share the stage—much to the disappointment of those hoping for a celebrity showdown—but their words fueled the online firestorm.

THE GOLDEN CHAINSAW AND THE FUTURE OF DOGE

The gilded chainsaw Milei presented Musk became an instant symbol—both of Musk’s unorthodox approach to government and of the unpredictable nature of modern politics. As Musk waved the chainsaw in the air, the crowd erupted, some cheering, others simply stunned.

It was a moment tailor-made for social media, and Musk knew it. “I’m not here to be boring,” he quipped. “If you want boring, you’re in the wrong century.”

STAYING TRUE TO HIS WORD

In the end, Musk’s sunglasses weren’t about hiding. They were about showing up, keeping a promise, and owning the moment—no matter how strange it might seem. For his fans, it was classic Elon: unpredictable, unapologetic, and always a step ahead of the story.

For his critics, it was another example of Musk’s flair for the dramatic, a distraction from the serious business of government reform. But love him or hate him, Musk made sure everyone was watching—and talking.

CONCLUSION: THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE MEME

Elon Musk’s CPAC appearance was more than just a viral moment. It was a reminder that in today’s media landscape, style and substance often go hand in hand. Whether he’s slashing budgets, swinging chainsaws, or just keeping a promise to wear sunglasses indoors, Musk remains at the center of the conversation.

And as long as he does, one thing is certain: the world will be watching—shades or no shades.