Elon Musk is sitting on the CPAC stage wearing black pants, a black jacket, a black graphic t-shirt and large reflective black frames. On his head, he’s wearing what has become his signature black Make America Great Again cap, with MAGA written in Gothic font.

Before his feet rests a chainsaw.

He’s answering questions in an interview format about his political journey, going from “politically neutral, for quite a while”, he says, to becoming Donald Trump’s right-hand man.

Musk says Democrats’ attacks on free speech are part of what fuelled his Republican loyalty.

Someone from the crowd shouts “I love you”, to which Musk responds: “Thanks, I love you too.”

The sound of the gold chain dangling from his neck clinks and clanks as he shifts in his seat.

Almost everyone we’ve seen here has been dressed in suits, with their eyes clearly visible.

It’s an unusual vibe at a gathering of America’s most devout conservatives.