Elon Musk’s Latest Twists: A New Name and Avatar on Twitter
New York, December 31, 2023 – Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), concluded the year with a peculiar update to his profile. On the final day of 2023, he changed his name to Kekius Maximus, sparking a wave of curiosity and debate among his followers and critics.
A Peculiar Change in Identity
Musk, the world’s richest person with 210 million followers on X since 2022, also altered his profile picture. The new avatar features Pepe the Frog, a popular internet meme, dressed as a gladiator. Pepe the Frog, created in the United States in 2005, has since become a symbol of the far-right due to its association with extremist groups. The Anti-Defamation League even listed it as a symbol of hate.
The Origin and Interpretation of ‘Kekius Maximus’
Musk did not provide a reason for his sudden name change. However, online observers have suggested that ‘Kekius Maximus’ is a blend of Pepe the Frog and Maximus Decimus Meridius, the gladiator from the 2000 film "Gladiator." The new image shows Pepe holding a video game controller, hinting at Musk’s interest in gaming.
The Controversial Meme
Pepe the Frog’s association with supremacist and alt-right groups has been a contentious issue. During the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, Pepe was used in online forums like 4chan to spread misinformation and hate speech. However, Musk and many other internet users have consistently denied these allegations.
A Reference to Gaming and Cryptocurrency
Musk’s new name, Kekius Maximus, was accompanied by a tweet that referenced the popular video game "Path of Exile 2" (PoE) and its in-game leveling system. The term "kek" is a gaming slang that means "laugh out loud" or "LOL."
The Memecoin Connection
The name ‘Kekius Maximus’ also coincides with a cryptocurrency known as Kekius, a memecoin operating on the Ethereum blockchain. Following Musk’s name change, the value of Kekius increased by over 900% on Tuesday afternoon, according to CoinGecko.
Musk’s History of Unique Names
Musk has a history of adopting unusual names. In 2020, when his son was born, he named him X Æ A-Xii, a name that is difficult to pronounce and has been widely mocked. Musk has previously shown interest in cryptocurrencies and memecoins, which he has supported publicly.
This latest change in Musk’s profile adds to the ongoing debate about his intentions and the impact of his actions on the social media landscape.
