A viral meme has dragged Tesla into a social media storm. The meme alleges that Tesla’s logo, when turned upside down, mimics the pointed hood of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). The stylized ‘T,’ meant to depict an electric motor’s cross-section, now faces backlash as users spotlight an eerie resemblance.
The controversy erupted after a TikTok video pointed it out, igniting a firestorm across platforms.
The clip exploded online, racking up thousands of reposts and comments. On X, one user fumed, “Somebody said the Tesla emblem upside down is a KKK face covering. I can’t unsee it.” Another quipped, “They’ve been hiding in plain sight,” while a third asked, “Tesla logo upside down… ring any bells?” The meme’s spread has fueled heated debate, with some decrying it as a stretch and others seeing it as a damning coincidence.
@djsoulchildac @thedisciplinedfatkid ♬ original sound – DJ SoulChild AC
Tesla Logo Meme Fuels the Fire
The uproar hits as Tesla and CEO Elon Musk face growing scrutiny. Just days prior, Kanye West stirred outrage by donning an all-black outfit akin to KKK robes in an interview, amplifying talk of hate symbols. Meanwhile, Tesla is grappling with nationwide protests over Musk’s new role as a Trump administration adviser to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Critics tie his influence to broader unrest, making the logo meme a lightning rod.
Bro somebody said that the Tesla emblem upside down is the a KKK face covering and I just can’t unsee it breh 🤣… pic.twitter.com/LcM5OivPaS
— Cleveland Brown III (@YungMuscle_) April 2, 2025
What started as a quirky observation has become a PR headache for Tesla. With social media ablaze, the debate over intent versus perception rages on the right as the carmaker navigates choppy waters.