Elon Musk has caused a stir online by posting a rare photograph of himself from nine years ago, a picture that was reportedly wiped from the internet nearly a decade back.
The image captures Musk in an unusually gothic style. He is seen wearing a black double-breasted jacket adorned with metallic buttons, with longer-than-usual hair and a serious expression as he gazes directly at the camera.
The outfit is a stark contrast with Musk’s typically polished public appearance.
The photo reappeared when Musk shared it on X (formerly Twitter), adding a witty caption: “Can’t believe it’s been so long.”
The post quickly went viral, amassing over 15 million views and 148,000 likes.
Can’t believe it’s been so long 😂 pic.twitter.com/4ohOEeYWXb
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 20, 2025
The image also included a line of text that read, “It’s been 9 years since Elon Musk permanently had this photo removed from the internet.”
The billionaire’s bold style choice sparked a wave of reactions, with both fans and critics embracing the nostalgia and humour surrounding the throwback photo.
Users wasted no time responding with memes and playful remarks.
One wrote, “Welcome back to the internet this picture,” while another quipped, “Looks like the god of all gamers going ftw.”
Several fans embraced the “goth” phase, with one commenting, “Proof that even billionaires have their 'midnight vampire phase.' Don’t worry, Elon, the internet never forgets, but it sure loves a glow-up!”
Another user added, “This is actually one of my favourites. It’s that goth look. Goth has my heart,” while someone else joked, “Now we know why the EU is afraid of you.”
IOL Entertainment