It seems renaming places really is all the range in 2025, as Elon Musk has now suggested a new moniker for the English Channel.
Days after President Donald Trump officially rebaptised the Gulf of Mexico with a new title, the tech guru shared his idea for doing the same on our side of the pond.
Musk wants to meddle with the large body of water which separates southern England from northern France by giving it a new name which is associated with one of America‘s Founding Fathers.
Even though he’s got much more pressing matters to be dealing with – such as the fallout from his controversial gesture Trump’s inauguration – the Tesla boss has apparently been preoccupied by thinking up a new name.
Never mind the fact that we’ve been calling it the English Channel since the early 18th century, as Musk reckons his title would roll off the tongue a lot easier.
For extremely patriotic Americans with a soft spot for political figures, that is, rather than the people in the countries which actually surround the Channel.
The water helped the UK become a naval superpower during the Napoleonic Wars and World War 2, so we’re all quite protective over it, as it goes.
This is why Brits have made it clear Musk’s bizarre suggestion to rename it after George Washington isn’t something we’re interested in.
The first president of the US has tons of monuments dedicated to him, while his face is immortalised on Mount Rushmore and on $1 notes – but Musk seems to think he deserves some respect in the UK, too.
Elon Musk proposed that the English Channel should be renamed after George Washington (Chesnot/Getty Images)
In a post shared on his platform X on Sunday (26 January), the billionaire shared an image of the English Channel on a map which instead featured the name ‘The George Washington Channel’.
Alongside the photo, he wrote: “New name for the water that separates England and France.”
Musk didn’t elaborate on his reasoning for this, although social media users weren’t exactly surprised that he wanted to lay claim to the arm of the Atlantic Ocean which is the busiest shipping area in the world due to the Dover Strait.
Still, people didn’t seem to understand why he had even sat and thought about the subject – especially when the US’ current focus is apparently buying Greenland, although the nation has insisted it isn’t for sale.
One user said: “What’s with this obsession now to change the names of geographical landmarks?”
New name for the water that separates England and France
Another wrote: “It’s ridiculous. Why would we spend millions of dollars to change signage and documents? The US doesn’t have the authority to rename international bodies of water.
“We can call them what we want in our official documents, but that’s not an official name change.”
While a third added: “The English Channel is not being renamed after George Washington. Grow up.”
It’s not the first time Musk has stuck his oar in UK affairs either, as he’s been slamming Prime Minister Keir Starmer online since he took office last year.
As well as this, he previously floated the idea of creating a ‘£20 billion tunnel’ underneath the Atlantic Ocean which connects London to New York.
Although he already adorns dollar bills and has countless monuments, Musk reckons the first President deserves a UK honour too (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
He claims that it could get people from A to B in less than an hour.
According to Dr Damian Tambini, an expert in media and communications regulation at the London School of Economics, Musk’s interference in the UK is down to his ‘blatant’ economic interests.
He said in a blog post: “If we examine the current state of regulation in the EU and the UK, the erratic political meddling of the US entrepreneur, and his ‘heroic’ stand on free speech, seem more rational.
“Musk is on an all-out campaign to undermine EU regulation: by undermining the political balances of the EU, and by questioning the very definition of free speech.
“The uncomfortable fact is that collaboration with fact checkers – which Musk rejected and has now enlisted Meta to campaign against – is what platforms must do under the new EU regime.”
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Olivia Burke
Elon Musk calls for action in furious response after Wikipedia page calls his gesture a ‘Nazi salute’
The billionaire isn’t best pleased by the contents of the Wikipedia page that is dedicated to him
Elon Musk isn’t best pleased with what’s been written about him on his Wikipedia page.
The businessman and Donald Trump‘s current best buddy has waged war on the website in a series of scathing posts on X, calling for Wikipedia to be ‘defunded’ after he saw how his controversial gesture at the President’s inauguration was described on the online encyclopaedia.
While addressing the crowd in Washington on Monday (20 January), Musk, 53, appeared to thump his chest and extend his right arm upwards in an angular motion.
Many people likened the Tesla boss’ movement to a ‘Nazi salute’ – however, the billionaire is pretty peeved that this was also plastered on his Wikipedia page.
A social media user took to X to share a screenshot of a small portion of the information which is displayed on Musk’s page on the well-known website.
It stated: “In his speech during the second Trump inauguration, Musk twice extended his right arm towards the crowd in an upward angle. The gesture was compared to a Nazi salute or a fascist salute.
“Musk denied any meaning behind the gesture.”
In a furious response shared on Tuesday (21 January), Musk made it clear he didn’t approve of how his movements were characterised on the website.
Musk wasn’t happy with how his gesture was described on Wikipedia (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
He wrote: “Since legacy media propaganda is considered a ‘valid’ source by Wikipedia, it naturally simply becomes an extension of legacy media propaganda!”
In a second post, the Space X founder added: “Defund Wikipedia until balance is restored!”
Another saw him suggest that it was ‘crystal clear’ that the online encyclopedia has a political agenda.
Since legacy media propaganda is considered a “valid” source by Wikipedia, it naturally simply becomes an extension of legacy media propaganda!
Wikipedia is an extension of legacy media.
But Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, who launched the site with Larry Sanger in 2001, hit back at Musk with a tweet of his own.
The entrepreneur wrote: “I think Elon is unhappy that Wikipedia is not for sale. I hope his campaign to defund us results in lots of donations from people who care about the truth.
“If Elon wanted to help, he’d be encouraging kind and thoughtful intellectual people he agrees with to engage,” Wales added.
Memorably, in 2023, Musk said he would give Wikipedia $1 billion if they changed their name to ‘D**kipedia’ so that the site could stop asking readers for financial support.
He said the online encyclopedia should be ‘defunded’ in a post on X (In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images)
Musk’s ex-girlfriend Grimes has now spoken out about the gesture he made at the inauguration, as well as one of his 12 children.
Vivian Wilson – who has publicly criticised him in the past – used her father’s social media platform to share her thoughts, but didn’t directly refer to Musk.
Addressing the scandal himself after footage of his salute went viral, the uber rich businessman kept his comments quite concise.
“Frankly, they need better dirty tricks,” he wrote, alluding to the idea that political rivals were pedalling the fascist narrative. “The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”
Featured Image Credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Twitter
Olivia Burke
Elon Musk responds after being accused of giving ‘Nazi gesture’ during inauguration celebrations
The tech tycoon shared a series of posts on X in response to the backlash
Elon Musk has responded to claims that he gave a ‘Nazi-style’ salute while on stage at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The Tesla tycoon, 53, joined a string of celebrities and politicians in Washington on Monday (20 January) to show their support for the new President as power officially changed hands.
Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the USA and made a powerful speech laying out his promises as leader – which garnered a viral reaction from former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
But his big day has been marred by controversy after Musk made a series of movements which many people have deemed as ‘fascist’.
Take a look at this:
As well as being seen making a bizarre gesture after Trump confirmed his pledge to send US astronauts to Mars, the Space X boss later appeared to make other strange motions.
The billionaire has found himself in hot water as viewers watching the inauguration claim he made a ‘Nazi salute’ during his speech.
While on stage at the Capitol One Arena, Musk was seen excitedly discussing the prospect of planting an American flag on Mars.
He then thanked the crowd for helping secure Trump’s victory against Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, praising the audience for ‘making it happen’.
Musk then appeared to thump his chest, before his right arm shot up in an angular motion towards the sky.
The businessman then turned away from the audience and replicated the gesture, this time towards a US flag which was draped over the stage.
Elon Musk’s movements at Donald Trump’s inauguration have sparked controversy (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
“My heart goes out to you,” Musk then told supporters. “It is thanks to you that the future of civilisation is assured.”
During live coverage of the event, CNN anchor Erin Burnett was heard saying: “Standing ovation for Elon Musk. By far the biggest reception of the day. You saw him come out with that odd-looking salute.”
Her colleague Kasie Hunt also pointed out that the gesture ‘was evocative of things that we have seen through history’ and ‘not something you typically see at American rallies’, the Independent reports.
Discussion about Musk’s movements also erupted across social media, including on his own platform, X.
Many people have suggested the gesture was similar to a Nazi salute.
One person said in a post on X: “Elon Musk just did a Nazi salute on national television.”
Another wrote: “WTF?? What did Elon Musk just do??”
A third added: “THERE’S NO WAY ELON MUSK DID A SIEG HEIL AT TRUMP’S INAUGURATION.”
The Tesla boss responded to the backlash on X (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
And a fourth commented: “Even if you’re a Elon Musk d**krider, you have to acknowledge that this dude LITERALLY just did a Nazi salute. What the f**k????”
According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a Nazi salute is defined as ‘raising an outstretched right arm with the palm down’.
What has Elon Musk said about the gesture?
After receiving a host of backlash on social media, Musk has now spoken out about the controversy.
In a post shared on his platform X today (21 January), he responded to a user who shared a screenshot of one of his own former tweets.
In May 2022, Musk shared a tweet saying: “In the past I voted Democrat, because they were (mostly) the kindness party.
“But they have become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican. Now, watch their dirty tricks campaign against me unfold…”
Alongside the screenshot, the social media user wrote: “The salute hoax is just another part of the ‘dirty tricks campaign’.”
Quoting the post, Musk wrote: “Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The ‘everyone is Hitler’ attack is sooo tired.”
Another user asked to ‘retire the calling people a Nazi thing’, to which Musk responded: “Yeah exactly,” alongside a yawning emoji.
Featured Image Credit: ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, History, Politics, Twitter, US News, Social Media, News
Olivia Burke
Elon Musk leaves people confused over ‘ignorant’ question about sign language
The tech tycoon has managed to put his foot in it on social media once again.
Elon Musk is a bloke with more experience than most when it comes to putting his foot in it.
Since he took over Twitter, rebranded it as X and got rid of the beloved little blue bird, the tech tycoon has really upped his posting game – so much so, that reading his tweets is like getting a glimpse of his diary.
It seems that any random thought which pops into Musk‘s head is fair game, but this can sometimes land him in a spot of bother on social media.
The Tesla CEO, 52, has come under fire for a recent post where he posed a question to his 171million followers.
He had started a debate about Disney online and a user replied to him with a leaked video of Karey Burke, the president of Disney’s General Entertainment Content, from a company-wide meeting.
The footage featured both subtitles and a male sign language interpreter, which seems to have really puzzled Musk.
The business mogul wrote in a tweet on Tuesday: “What’s the point of sign language in a video if you have subtitles? Am I missing something?”
Although it may have been a sincere question, a lot of people branded Musk ‘ignorant’ – especially when a quick Google search could have saved him the shame of royally showing himself up.
As you can imagine, his post was met with a lot of backlash from the deaf community who made it clear that it is not a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to communication.
Steve Granitz/Getty Images
One wrote: “I’m Deaf. There are no two Deaf individuals alike. Some prefer closed captions (CC) and others prefer ASL interpreters. Some are visually impaired. Some ASL interpreters are not clear or makes mistakes. The same goes for CC. “Oftentimes the CC is incorrect or misspells something. We always need both as back-up to each other.”
Another sarcastically replied: “What’s the point of audiobooks if you have textbooks? Am I missing something?”
A third said: “Yep. You’re missing something. Like the fact that sign language is its own language with its own grammar and structure. Not all deaf people can read English, and not all deaf people know sign language.”
A fourth added: “Elon Musk’s casual disregard for sign language not only exposes his sheer ignorance about accessibility but also a perplexing insensitivity for a tech magnate of his stature. This reveals that technological prowess does not necessarily come with an understanding of human diversity.
“Innovation without empathy is a path to exclusion, not progress.”
Disney
And a fifth chimed in: “Yes, you’re missing something, Elon. You’re missing having any critical thinking skills.”
But not everyone was convinced that Musk meant any ill will when he shared his query online.
One user said in support: “Well it really doesn’t make much sense… if the person knows sign language, surely they know how to read as well.”
Another wrote: “My partner who is deaf agrees with you @elonmusk. Interpreters will ‘interpret’ was is being said, potentially change the words and meaning of the point … Whereas closed captioning allows the deaf to read exactly what the person says and means.”
A third commented: “Huh. I’ve always wondered why this is the case in America. We’ve only had subtitles for a long time.”
And a fourth added: “Good point!”
According to Languagers, sign language is often the ‘only real language’ that a lot of deaf people have ever known, and although they can read and write in English, this is like their ‘second language’.
“In effect, whenever pre-lingually deaf people (those born deaf) see closed captions, they are forced to switch from their mother tongue to a second language, where the fast pace of dialogue can see some things get lost in translation,” it said.
Featured Image Credit: Steve Granitz/Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, Elon Musk, Twitter, Social Media
Olivia Burke
Elon Musk makes bizarre gesture to camera as Donald Trump makes Mars promise during inaugural address
Mention of space in the inaugural address? Time to pan the camera over to Elon Musk
Elon Musk could be spotted making a very bizarre gesture after Donald Trump confirmed his pledge to send US astronauts to Mars during his inaugural address.
We are once again in the era of a Donald Trump presidency, which means that things are once again about to get very interesting.
The past few months have seen Trump forge a close friendship with tech billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, with the 53-year-old even earning the role of government efficiency tsar.
We’re still none the wiser on what the Department of Government Efficiency (which of course has the acronym DOGE) will actually do, but Musk’s influence can already be seen as Trump promised to send astronauts to Mars during his inaugural address.
Elon Musk at the inauguration (CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars,” Trump told attendees at the US Capitol.
Before we even begin to speculate over the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ about sending astronauts to space, let’s first dissect Musk’s reaction to the announcement.
The cameraman did an astounding job of panning over to Musk once Mars was mentioned, given that it’s his lifelong obsession, and managed to catch his very goofy real-time response.
Watch the moment below:
In the clip, Musk can be seen grinning from ear-to-ear and mouthing something to the camera, before giving a final thumbs up. Just in case his first two reactions didn’t signify his pleasure with the announcement.
Of course the reaction of a man who (despite being very famous) still has no idea how to act on camera has garnered plenty of reactions online.
“Elon immediately looking for the memes,” one person responded to the clip, while a second added: “Elon Musk’s reaction when Trump says we will plant an American flag on Mars is pure gold.”
It would appear that Barron Trump doesn’t share Elon’s fascination with Mars (X)
Meanwhile others were quick to point out that while Musk looked excited at the prospect of humans reaching Mars, Trump’s 18-year-old son Barron was much less enthusiastic.
“Barron’s mind is still in the trenches,” one user joked, as a second commented: “Barron tired of hearing about Mars.”
“Barron Trump is not going to Mars, that’s for sure,” a third added.
Although Barron appears to have very little interest in visiting the Red Planet, making it to Mars is somewhat of a lifelong goal for Musk, who once told SXSW crowds in 2013: “I’d like to die on Mars, just not on impact.”
Everything Trump has pledged to do as 47th US President
Delaying the TikTok ban
After TikTok went dark on January 19 in the US, it was bought back after mere hours with a message reading: “Welcome back! Thank you for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the US!”
Trump will reportedly sign an executive order to delay the ban saying he wants to ‘make a deal to protect our national security’.
Immigration
In a statement during a rally at Madison Square Garden during his presidential race, he said: “On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out.
“I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible.”
Planning over 100 executive orders
It’s been reported by AP that Trump plans on preparing over 100 executive orders on his first day in the White House. Trump’s allies have reportedly spent time preparing documents that Trump can sign quickly, on issues such as deportation, school gender policies and vaccine mandates, without input from congress.
“There will be a substantial number,” said Senator John Hoeven, R-N.D.
Making hidden government files public
Including the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King Jr., Trump promised at his recent rally in Washington D.C that, in a bid to increase government transparency, he will be making these disclosures in ‘the coming days’.
“And in the coming days, we are going to make public remaining records relating to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert Kennedy, as well as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
‘Make Greenland Great Again Act’
In a bid that has not gone down well with Greenlanders, taking to his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said: “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.
“Greenland is an incredible place. The people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
January 6 pardons
Trump’s loss in the 2020 election led to the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, in turn resulting in the arrests of a number of Trump supporters.
In an interview with TIME, Trump said that looking into the cases of the rioters’ will take place in ‘the first nine minutes’ of his time in office.
In a post shared on his social media channel, Trump said: “I am inclined to pardon many of them. I can’t say for every single one, because a couple of them, probably they got out of control.”
Getting rid of birthright citizenship
Exactly as it sounds, Trump once declared he wanted to get rid of birthright citizenship, which immediately gives citizenship to anyone born in US. Noting that this may not be possible as it’s written into the constitution, he said he wants to achieve this by executive order – bypassing congress again – ‘if we can’.
Cut federal funding for schools educating on ‘inappropriate’ topics
Speaking early last year, Trump addressed a crowd in Iowa and made plans to ‘save [the] country from destruction’.
“On day one, I will sign a new executive order to cut federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity,” he said, per NPR.
Trump also said he would target schools pushing ‘any other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content on our children’.
Making the US the ‘crypto capital’
Back in 2021, Trump called crypto a ‘scam against the dollar.’ But four years on, he’s pulled a u-turn as he vowed to make the US the ‘crypto capital of the planet’.
On social media, Trump claimed crypto would be ‘mined, minted and made in the US’.
Both he and wife Melania released their own memecoins ahead of the inauguration, while experts previously predicted Bitcoin could reach up to $250,000 this year.
Be a ‘dictator’
In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity last year, he referred to himself as a ‘dictator’ when asked if he was promising to ‘never abuse power as retribution against anybody’.
In response, Trump said: “Except for Day 1. I want to close the border and I want to drill, drill, drill. We’re closing the border and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.”
End Green Deals
Trump has spoken previously about his plan to ‘terminate the Green New Deal’, which he dubbed the ‘Green New Scam’.
The Green New Deal was pitched by Democrats Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey, but it was never signed into law.
Addressing the policies in a speech in September, Trump said: “To further defeat inflation, my plan will terminate the Green New Deal, which I call the Green New Scam. Greatest scam in history, probably.
“We [will] rescind all unspent funds under the misnamed Inflation Reduction Act. I’m going to write it out in an executive order. It’s going to end on Day 1.”
Arrange green cards for college graduates
Despite making his stance on migration clear, Trump has advocated for non-US citizens to receive green cards to stay in the country if they graduate from college.
During an episode of the ‘All In’ podcast recorded this year, Trump said: “Anybody graduates from a college, you go in there for two years or four years, if you graduate, or you get a doctorate degree from a college, you should be able to stay in this country […]
“Somebody graduates at the top of the class, they can’t even make a deal with the company because they don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in the country. That is going to end on Day 1.”
Scrap ‘electric vehicle mandates’
Trump plans to scrap Biden administration’s so-called electric vehicle mandate, referring to new pollution standards that incentivize auto manufacturers to increase production of electric and lower-emission vehicles.
Despite vowing to get rid of the policy on his first day, Trump told podcaster Joe Rogan the move could take ‘maybe two days, because it’s a little bit busy’.
Fire the man who indicted him
Trump faced two federal cases in relation to the 2020 election result from special counsel Jack Smith, and the future POTUS has no plans to work with him again.
Speaking on October 24, Trump told the Hugh Hewitt show he would fire Smith ‘within two seconds’: “He’ll be one of the first things addressed.”
