Elon Musk baffles internet with ‘Kekius Maximus' profile name on X
Elon Musk adopted the moniker 'Kekius Maximus' on X Tuesday, sparking speculation among his 210 million followers about his mysterious new handle that is a mash-up of an alt-right symbol, a memecoin, and the lead character of the movie Gladiator .
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and a confidant of US President-elect Donald Trump, also replaced his profile picture with one of 'Pepe the Frog', a popular cartoon character, wearing ancient Roman attire and holding a video game joystick.
In typical Musk fashion, the billionaire tech mogul and owner of X – formerly Twitter – offered no explanation about the new username and avatar, but the move triggered immediate ripple effects.
The change roiled the cryptocurrency world, sending the value of a memecoin – a digital currency inspired by an internet meme – with the same name skyrocketing. Elon Musk adopted the moniker 'Kekius Maximus' on X. Photo: X @elonmusk
It also sent internet sleuths hunting for answers: was the name change just for the laughs? Was there a hidden message? Was this another thinly-disguised attempt to jolt the crypto markets? More troublingly, was it a wink and a nod to online hate groups?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Japanese public questions Elon Musk's parenting after claim he fathered pop star's child
A claim by one of Elon Musk 's former partners that he fathered a child with a Japanese pop star has ignited a storm of speculation online in Japan , fuelling debate over celebrity privacy, reproductive ethics and the billionaire's growing brood. The allegation was made by Ashley St Clair – a conservative US influencer and mother of the Tesla CEO's 14th known child – in a New York Times report published on Friday. According to the newspaper, St Clair said Musk had confided in her that he had fathered children around the world, including with a Japanese pop star, although he did not identify the woman. 'He made it seem like it was just his altruism and he generally believed these people should just have children,' St Clair was quoted as saying. She also alleged that Musk had expressed concern over declining birth rates and indicated he was willing to donate sperm to anyone who asked. Her claims have not been independently verified, and the identity of the Japanese pop star remains undisclosed. Musk has not publicly commented on the claim. Elon Musk walks with his son X Æ A-12 after a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington DC on February 13. Photo: Reuters Even so, the story has captured public attention in Japan, though mainstream media and commentators have been careful to avoid naming anyone thus far. 'It is embarrassing to even pry into this kind of thing,' comedian Hiroiki Ariyoshi said on his Sunday evening radio programme, to laughter from his fellow presenters.
South China Morning Post
30-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Elon Musk says Oval Office black eye was because son, 5, punched him in the face
Billionaire Elon Musk sparked fevered speculation when he turned up with a black eye for his Oval Office farewell with US President Donald Trump on Friday. But the South African-born tech magnate said he had a simple explanation: his son had punched him in the face. 'I was just horsing around with lil' X, and I said, 'go ahead punch me in the face,'' 53-year-old Musk told reporters when asked how he got the shiner. 'And he did. Turns out even a five-year-old punching you in the face actually is …' he added, before tailing off. 'I didn't really feel much at the time but I guess it bruises up.' Trump hosted the press conference with Musk to mark the Tesla boss's last day at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). Musk had expressed increasing disillusionment with the job but said he would remain a 'friend and adviser.' Musk's appearance was overshadowed by allegations in The New York Times that he had engaged in heavy drug use while on the campaign trail for Trump in 2024.
South China Morning Post
30-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
China dog owner goes viral for taking pet on road trip, securing it in cage with funny sign
A Chinese man who embarked on a cross-country road trip with his carsick-prone dog went viral online after securing the canine in a custom-made cage attached to the back of his car, complete with a humorous sign. Advertisement On April 21, the dog owner, surnamed Hao, set off on a journey from Shanghai with his seven-month-old male Labrador, affectionately nicknamed Mimi, a name that playfully mimics the sound of a cat's miaow. Hao shared with Jimu News that Mimi tends to get carsick, making it challenging for him to travel comfortably inside the vehicle. To address this issue, he commissioned a custom cage, which he securely mounted to the rear of his Tesla. He discovered that Mimi was significantly more comfortable travelling in the fresh air. To solve Mimi's carsick problem, Hao commissioned a custom cage, which he securely mounted to the back of his Tesla and found that the dog was significantly more comfortable travelling in the fresh air. Photo: Baidu To enhance the travel experience even further, Hao covered the cage with black fabric to block sunlight and added a soft cushion inside to provide Mimi with a cosy surface to rest on.
