Elon Musk made news once more during a cabinet meeting at the White House, but this time it was for his wardrobe choices rather than rockets or artificial intelligence.
In reference to President Donald Trump’s contentious renaming of the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year, Musk wore a striking red cap with the words “Gulf of America” printed on it while he was seated in the Cabinet Room. In addition to featuring the numbers “45 – 47,” which alluded to Trump’s non-consecutive terms as the 45th and 47th president of the United States, the hat’s design was strikingly similar to the famous “Make America Great Again” caps.
However, Musk’s choice to take on two roles was what really grabbed the internet’s attention, not just the branding. The head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was seen in online video stacking a red cap on top of a black one before taking both off to talk.
As a joke, Trump couldn’t help but remark, “Elon, I love your double hat, by the way.” The only person who can get away with that is him. Musk smiled and retorted, “Well, Mr. President, I wear a lot of hats, as they say. My hat, too, has a hat!
Almost instantly, social media exploded. One Facebook user joked, “I can only imagine the sight, Elon Musk stacking hats at a cabinet meeting,” after “Double Hat Day” became a popular topic.
However, not everyone’s attention was on the headgear. Many viewers speculated after noticing what seemed to be a scar or mark on Musk’s neck. Concerning remarks like “Did Elon get a biopsy?” and perplexing ones like “What’s that slice on his neck??” were among the comments. Others completely criticized his outfit, asking, “Is he aware that it’s not appropriate for a cabinet meeting?”
The double-hat stunt and the mysterious neck mark, however, garnered the most attention and caused confusion and laughter from people of all political persuasions. A sardonic, “Good lord…” was how one viewer described the atmosphere. “Cringe,” one person said, while another said, “Really, that makes you LMAO?”
Musk has previously made a statement at the White House. He shared a picture of himself in the Oval Office in February, posing with his arms extended and sporting an enormous red MAGA hat on X. The picture swiftly went viral on the internet, complete with his trademark black outfit.
By March, the press room was being asked about decorum. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt laughed when asked why Musk was permitted to wear such casual attire to high-level meetings, particularly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came under fire for not wearing a suit: “He did last night.” “I think the president liked it very much,” she continued.
In his double-layered headgear and tech mogul bluster, Musk is still a mystery. His most recent appearance further blurs the boundaries between satire, celebrity, and government; every public gesture he makes feeds rumors, memes, and commentary.
