United States: Tech billionaire Elon Musk has stirred fresh conspiracy by changing his name on the social media platform X to “Kekius Maximus,” alongside a profile picture featuring the controversial meme character Pepe the Frog. The sudden rebranding has sparked speculation, though Musk has not explained the move.
The new profile image depicts Pepe in Roman military attire, holding what appears to be a game console. Observers have illustrated connections to “Kek,” an internet slang term for laughter with ties to gamer culture and, more controversially, to the alt-right. The term also represents a name with an Egyptian god of darkness, often portrayed as frog-headed.
Adding to the mystery, the name “Maximus” evokes the heroic figure Maximus Decimus Meridius, played by Russell Crowe in the film Gladiator.
Musk’s online shift has triggered a turmoil in the cryptocurrency market, with a memecoin sharing the name “Kek” experiencing a meteoric rise in value. While the billionaire has yet to influence crypto markets with his social media activity, there is no guarantee of his involvement with this particular digital currency.
Musk, a close ally of US President-Elect Donald Trump, has a history of blending internet culture with his public persona. This latest move adds yet another layer of conspiracy to his enigmatic digital footprint.