Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Elon Musk Trolls Chechen Leader Who Called Him 'Effeminate' By Changing His Twitter Name

Elon Musk Trolls Chechen Leader Who Called Him 'Effeminate' By Changing His Twitter Name
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for TIME; Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Public exchanges between Elon Musk and Chechen Republic head Ramzan Kadyrov prompted a new display name on the billionaire tycoon’s official Twitter page: Elona Musk.

Kadyrov, a close ally of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, sent Musk a detailed and threatening message on the Telegram app. In it, he wrote, "you'll need to pump up those muscles in order to change from the gentle (effeminate) Elona into the brutal Elon you need to be."


When he heard about Kadyrov's message, Musk posted it online saying:

"Telegram post by Ramzan Kadyrov, head of Chechen Republic!"


Kadyrov currently leads the Chechen Republic near southwestern Russia.

A peace agreement left Chechnya a de facto independent state, but Chechnya remains officially part of Russia. Kadyrov has been accused of committing multiple human rights abuses, notably the brutal persecution of gay men.

You can see Kadyrov's full translated message to Musk below:

@elonmusk/Twitter

After offering Musk training, Kadyrov ended his post with:

"You will return from the Chechen Republic a completely different person Elona, that is Elona."

The back and forth began after Musk publicly challenged Putin to a duel by combat on Twitter.

“I hereby challenge Владимир Путин (Vladimir Putin) to single combat ... Stakes are Україна (Ukraine).”


Musk's support of Ukraine is well known after he provided the country with free internet access by activating his Starlink satelite internet service in the vulnerable region which suffers from major power outages and communication interference from Russia’s invasion.

His assistance made a global statement about his stance while his viral attacks on Putin further solidified his position.

Musk said of the Russian leader in his response to Kadyrov's message:

"If he is afraid to fight, I will agree to use only my left hand and I am not even left-handed."


Then, he changed his Twitter handle to Elona.

@elonmusk/Twitter


Many are pleased with Musk's public stance against Putin's invasion.

When Kadyrov's message was unveiled, some found humor in Musk's response calling his display name change "hilarious," and "comedy at its finest."


@Tetianka_Kyiv/Twitter


But some found his conduct to be inappropriate amid the chaos ensuing in Ukraine.

"Mr Elona Musk. People are dying, losing their homes and families in Ukraine. I am glad you still have time for joking around about it."


Others aired their frustrations with Kadyrov using femininity as an insult against Musk.

They praised Musk's adoption of the name without shame.

"Kadyrov wanted to humiliate Elon by calling him the female name Elona (common in Russia), but Musk was not offended ..."


However, the name change has also been viewed as being insensitive to the trans community.

Some are even calling his actions transphobic.


While many are laughing, others feel mocking trans people is not a joke.

" ... Mr. Musk is, yes, mocking trans people. He thinks being trans is a game."


The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to cost lives on both sides.

Negotiations for an end to the conflict are ongoing.

More from News

Screenshots from Dove's ad featuring transgender women
Dove

'One Million Moms' Calls For Dove Boycott Over Hair Care Ad Featuring Trans Woman

The vehemently transphobic conservative group One Million Moms (OMM)—an arm of the Christian fundamentalist nonprofit American Family Association (AFA)—called for a boycott of Dove products after the company featured a transgender woman in an advertisement for their Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Conditioner.

The ad garnered attention after it was shared by the social media account Libs of TikTok—run by the anti-LGBTQ+ conservative Chaya Raichik—which described the ad as an example of "another woke company trying to erase women."

Keep ReadingShow less
Alyssa Milano; Julian McMahon
Michael Kovac/Elton John AIDS Foundation/Getty Images; Marcus Ingram/The Surfer/Getty Images

Alyssa Milano Shares Poignant Tribute To 'TV Husband' Julian McMahon After His Death At 56

Actor Julian McMahon lost his battle with cancer at the age of 56 earlier this week, and to say that the Charmed, Nip/Tuck, and Fantastic Four actor touched many lives would be an understatement.

When the news of McMahon's passing went public, his Charmed costar and "TV wife" Alyssa Milano came forward and expressed her sadness and condolences on Instagram. The pair were a favorite couple on Charmed, and it was clear from her post that their care for each other extended beyond the screen.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Who Slept With Their Best Friend Describe The Aftermath

When two people have a deep and meaningful friendship, the question might eventually come up of whether or not they could be more. Agreeing that their friendship might deserve more, they might try to date or at least explore physical intimacy.

But crossing that line carries with it consequences, and it's only once the pair crosses that line that they'll find out if crossing it was good or bad.

Keep ReadingShow less
child writing on chalkboard
Leonardo Toshiro Okubo on Unsplash

Bilingual People Explain Which Words They're Surprised Don't Exist In English

According to one report, approximately 3.3 billion people worldwide—43 % of the population—are multilingual, meaning they speak at least two languages. According to the last Census, 21.6% of people in the United States speak more than one language, while in the United Kingdom, the number is 36%.

More multilingual people speak English as a second language than English speakers who have learned another language besides English. Worldwide, people who learned English as a first language rate among the lowest in multilingual rates.

Keep ReadingShow less
Andrew Garfield at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival
Harry Durrant/Getty Images

Andrew Garfield meets fan with wild tweet!

American actor Andrew Garfield had a funny yet awkward reunion with a fan from a viral “Thirst Tweet” featured on Buzzfeed Celeb.

The Thirst Tweet compilation shows celebrities reading a collection of scandalous tweets from fans commenting on their looks, attractiveness, and sex appeal. Blushing stars include James McAvoy, Renee Rapp, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Mackie, and more recently, Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem, as they promote F1 the Movie that was released in theaters last week.

Keep ReadingShow less