Elon Musk brags as NSFW name change lands reporter in awkward situation live on TV
The 53-year-old billionaire clearly got a major kick out of the gimmick
Elon Musk has posted a major brag as his NSFW Twitter name change landed one reporter in a seriously awkward situation live on TV.
Earlier this week, the 53-year-old father-of-12, who is also the richest man in the world with a net worth estimated to be around $384 billion, took it upon himself to deliver a clearly side-splitting prank to the internet.
The Tesla CEO changed his handle on X, the social media platform he bought back in 2022, to none other than ‘Harry Bōlz’ which, in case you needed it spelled out for ya, is a play on ‘Hairy Balls’.
Before switching it back to his regular @elonmusk handle, CNN anchor Dana Bash was forced to utter the infantile moniker on live TV – something he clearly got a major kick out of.
He wrote on X on Tuesday (11 February): “Made them say my name,” alongside two cry-laughing emojis alongside a clip of Bash telling CNN viewers: “Disruptor-in-chief Elon Musk, who apparently has adopted the alias – at least he changed his social media handle to Harry Bōlz – tweeted this morning, ‘Democracy in America is being destroyed by judicial coup. An activist judge is not a real judge’.”
Elon Musk momentarily changed his Twitter handle to ‘Harry Bōlz’ earlier this week (Andrew Harnik / Staff / Getty Images)
It didn’t take long for people to share their verdict on Musk’s brag with one person writing: “The richest man in the world uses his platform to pull pranks for the joy of it.
“This is truly the dream of every 12 year old boy ever and I am certain that holding onto that spirit is what makes Elon as successful as he is.”
A second fan of the billionaire piped up: “She actually said it. You can see the defeated look on her face LOL.”
“This is amazing. The media is completely broken over it,” gushed a third, clearly very enthused fan of the gimmick.
On Tuesday, Musk – the Trump-appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – decided to bring along his four-year-old son, X Æ A-12, to a press conference at the Oval Office which saw the toddler tell one of the reporters to ‘shut your mouth’ as well as wipe his bogies on the Resolute desk.
It’s safe to say the ordeal hasn’t gone down well with viewers, with many rushing to social media to call Musk out for his ‘unprofessionalism’.
One Twitter user slammed: “America is a joke. Bringing a child to work during conferences is unprofessional especially if the child speaking while you interviewed.”
Another added: “How unprofessional – with all the money Elon Musk has surely he can afford a baby sitter! How dare he bring his kid into the Oval Office in front of the world’s press – this is what we have come to.”
And a final X user commented: “I will actually donate some of my taxpayer dollars so that Elon Musk can get a damn babysitter. How unprofessional is this?”
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Image
Expert breaks down Donald Trump’s response after people spot ‘angry’ reaction to Elon Musk ‘condom mistake’
A body language expert has shared their analysis of the White House press conference on Tuesday (11 February)
During the press conference on Tuesday (12 Feburary), Musk – the Trump-appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – was asked by a reporter to publicly correct a factually incorrect claim he made regarding sending $50 million worth of condoms to Gaza in the Middle East, when it was actually Gaza in Mozambique in order to protect people against HIV.
The reporter then asked: “How can we make sure that all the statements that you said were correct, so we can trust what you say?”
At this point, Trump could be seen snorting as he raised his eyebrows, shook his head and smirked.
Musk then replied: “Some of the things that I say will be incorrect and should be corrected.
“I mean, you know, we will make mistakes, but we’ll act quickly to correct any mistakes.”
He continued: “I’m not sure we should be sending $50 million worth of condoms to anywhere, frankly. I’m not sure that’s something Americans would be really excited about.”
The father-of-12 added that DOGE works closely with agency heads and he speaks with Trump to ‘double-check things’.
Body language expert, Inbaal Hongiman, has since shared her theory on the ordeal, telling Tyla: “When Trump hears the journalist question Musk about the overseas condom budget, he uses facial expressions to convey several emotions.”
A body language expert gave their take on Trump’s reaction (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Analysing things further, Inbaal continued: “A sharp exhalation means that he is impatient, he finds the question to be a waste of his time.
“Then he raises his eyebrows very briefly, while flashing a smirk. This is a show of sarcasm, as if to ask ‘are you serious?’.”
Trump then looks away, which the expert says is a ‘slight protective gesture’ as he’s ‘breaking eye contact from that which he doesn’t wish to be a part of’.
“And finally, Trump shakes his head in disbelief,” Inbaal rounds off.
“All in the space of seven seconds. The entire response shows incredulity.”
Tuesday’s press conference was absolute chaos for other reasons too as Musk decided to bring his four-year-old son X Æ A-12 along for the ride.
Musk brought his son along (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Not only did the toddler appear to tell one of the reporters to ‘shut your mouth’, but he also wiped his bogies on the Resolute desk – something people online branded as extremely ‘unprofessional’ on Musk’s part given the seriousness of the topics he and the president were discussing.
Some viewers reckon Trump was less than impressed with the tot too, as one Twitter user penned: “Trump seethes as President Musk’s kid eats his boogers then paws his desk.”
“I’m watching Elon Musk’s son pick his nose, eat boogers and wipe them on the Resolute desk. There’s no way this kid is not annoying Trump,” agreed a second.
The whole thing hasn’t gone down well with a fair few people online, with many rushing to social media to call Musk – who is the head of DOGE – out for his ‘unprofessionalism’.
One Twitter user slammed: “America is a joke. Bringing a child to work during conferences is unprofessional especially if the child speaking while you interviewed.”
“How unprofessional – with all the money Elon Musk has surely he can afford a baby sitter! How dare he bring his kid into the Oval Office in front of the world’s press – this is what we have come to,” hit out a second.
And a third commented: “I will actually donate some of my taxpayer dollars so that Elon Musk can get a damn babysitter. How unprofessional is this?”
Another went as far as to claim the presence of Musk’s toddler in the Oval Office totally went against ‘Trump’s rules’, as they penned: “Elon even defies all of Trump’s rules! The dress code, and no kids allowed in the oval office or at work, proving once again that he is in charge and Trump is not.
People hit out at Elon Musk’s ‘unprofessionalism’ bringing his son, X Æ A-12, to a press conference at the Oval Office (Andrew Harnik / Staff / Getty Images)
“Musk and his 4 yr old son both interrupted Trump and Trump looked very angry and turned away from the kid.”
While it may have rubbed people up the wrong way, there is actually no official rule that children can’t enter the Oval Office.
Meanwhile, Grimes, whose real name is Claire Boucher, has since hit back at Musk for taking their son to the press conference.
She took to social media to issue a statement on the matter, writing: “He should not be in public like this. I did not see this, thank u for alerting me. But I’m glad he was polite. Sigh.”
Musk and Grimes welcomed X to the world back in May 2020.
The couple dated for four years before eventually deciding to part ways for good two years after X’s birth in 2022.
They also share two other children together; Techno Mechanicus, two, as well as daughter Exa Dark Sideræl, three.
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
The reporter then asked: “How can we make sure that all the statements that you said were correct, so we can trust what you say?”
At this point, Trump, 78, could be seen snorting as he raised his eyebrows, shook his head, and smirked.
Musk, who is the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), then replied: “Some of the things that I say will be incorrect and should be corrected.
“I mean, you know, we will make mistakes, but we’ll act quickly to correct any mistakes.”
He also said: “I’m not sure we should be sending $50 million worth of condoms to anywhere, frankly. I’m not sure that’s something Americans would be really excited about.”
Elon Musk was confronted about an incorrect claim he made at the White House on Tuesday (11 February) (Andrew Harnik / Staff / Getty Images)
The father-of-12 added that his so-called ‘department of government efficiency’ works closely with agency heads and he speaks with Trump to ‘double-check things’.
Musk has since tweeted a clip of the interaction on his own X account with the caption: “$50M of condoms is a LOT of condoms.”
People were quick to notice Trump’s reaction to the reporter’s, frankly totally valid, question, with many rushing to social media to share their thoughts.
“Trump’s reaction to that question is priceless,” penned one X user.
A second declared: “Trump was looking angry there.”
“Lmao, one expression at the right time says more than any explanation you can give,” piped up a third.
Elsewhere during the press conference, Musk, who donned a ‘Make America Great Again’ cap, was asked about the duties that come with his new role in the DOGE.
Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, said ‘some of the things that I say will be incorrect’ (Andrew Harnik / Staff / Getty Images)
The inquisition comes as Democrats continue to accuse Trump’s administration and Musk’s department of providing a lack of transparency about their plans for the federal government.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer previously said: “An unelected shadow government is conducting a hostile takeover of the federal government.”
Under the spotlight, however, the Tesla CEO described cuts to government funding as ‘common sense’ measures, and insisted they are ‘not draconian or radical’.
As per the BBC, Musk went on: “The people voted for major government reform and that’s what the people are going to get.
“That’s what democracy is all about.”
He added: “I fully expect to be scrutinised. It’s not like I think I can get away with something.”
Later, Musk – who was appointed by Trump (not elected) to his new position – went on to describe federal workers as ‘unelected, fourth, unconstitutional branch of government’, that he claimed had ‘more power than any elected representative’.
“It’s not optional for us to reduce the federal expenses,” Musk continued.
“It’s essential. It’s essential for America to remain solvent as a country.”
How you pronounce Elon Musk’s son’s name X Æ A-12 after he makes White House debut with dad and Donald Trump
X appeared at the Oval Office for a press conference with Musk and Trump on Tuesday (11 February)
Musk’s son – who he shares with Canadian musician Grimes – was born in May 2020 and shortly after his birth, Musk spoke about his name and the meaning behind it.
He also explained how to say the unusual name, explaining it’s pronounced ‘X Ash X Twelve’.
“First of all, my partner’s the one that mostly came up with the name,” he told Joe Rogan. “I mean it’s just X, the letter X, um, and the ‘Æ’ is pronounced, ‘Ash’ and then, A-12 is my contribution.”
He added that A-12 stands for ‘Archangel 12, the precursor to the SR-71, coolest plane ever’.
We can see why Musk opts for X as a nickname.
X made an appearance at the Oval Office alongside dad Elon Musk and President Donald Trump (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
The four-year-old stole the show at a press conference on Tuesday (11 February) which Musk, a father of 12, attended alongside Trump.
Musk, 53, was at the White House to witness the 78-year-old Republican leader sign an executive order requiring federal agencies to cooperate with the Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to cut costs after facing pushback last week.
While Musk answered questions from the press, his son seemed to be quite the distraction as he pulled a number of faces and interrupted his father.
At one point during the press conference, the toddler could be seen picking his nose and wiping his bogies on the Resolute Desk – something people rushed to social media to share their reactions to.
One X user penned: “Trump seethes as President Musk’s kid eats his boogers then paws his desk.”
The four-year-old stole the show at the press conference (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“I’m watching Elon Musk’s son pick his nose, eat boogers and wipe them on the Resolute desk. There’s no way this kid is not annoying Trump,” added another.
Grimes, whose real name is Claire Boucher, has since spoken about her son attending the Oval Office, explaining she was not aware.
She took to social media to issue a statement on the matter, writing: “He should not be in public like this. I did not see this, thank u for alerting me. But I’m glad he was polite. Sigh.”
The couple dated for four years before eventually deciding to part ways for good two years after X’s birth in 2022.
They also share two other children together; Techno Mechanicus, two, as well as daughter Exa Dark Sideræl, three.
