In a spiraling saga of controversy, Elon Musk has once again found himself at the epicenter of outrage, having unleashed an antiquated and offensive slur during a recent exchange on X, formerly known as Twitter. On a seemingly normal Sunday, the notorious Chechen leader, Ramzan Kadyrov, took to the platform to express his gratitude towards Musk for acquiring a Cybertruck, which he’d modified with a menacing machine gun turret, insinuating its utility for Russian troops in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
When activist Seth Abramson challenged Musk regarding the troubling implications of gifting such a vehicle to an ally of Putin, Musk’s retort was as reckless as it was insulting: “Are you seriously so r—–ed that you think I donated a Cybertruck to a Russian general? That’s amazing.” The slur cascaded through the comments like a toxic cloud, igniting a fierce backlash that echoed the sentiments of many who still value the dignity of language. One user lamented, “Words like the r-word are awful and insulting and should never be used in this day and age,” while another jabbed, “Do you actually use that word like that? What an a–hole.”
This choice of word is especially striking given Musk’s own history; having been open about his Asperger’s syndrome, a variant of autism, his casual reference to a term that once stung him in his youth has left many scratching their heads in disbelief. Reminiscing about his early days, Musk’s estranged father, Errol, recounted a fraught meeting with one of his teachers who blithely remarked, “We think Elon’s r—–ed. We think he needs a special school.” Such a reminder of his past makes Musk’s flippant usage even more perplexing.
Since Musk’s acquisition of X last October, his behavior on the platform has become a whirlwind of erratic posts and conspiratorial musings, spiraling into realms of discourse that flutter between mere provocation and outright misinformation. Despite being a once-acknowledged humanitarian, his evolution into a figure of admiration for the far-right fringe raises eyebrows, casting looming shadows over his mental wellbeing. A candid admission earlier this year about using ketamine for depression adds complexity to the narrative. However, he insists on being “almost always sober” while engaging with his substantial following on X.
As the dust settles from this latest debacle, one can’t help but ponder the transformation of a man who once inspired awe among so many into a beacon of controversy, eliciting both concern and bewilderment, leaving a trail of questions in his wake.
