Elon Musk shares rare decade-old photo: 'Can’t believe it’s been so long'

The image shows Musk donning a black, double-breasted jacket with metallic buttons and his hair longer than usual.

Elon Musk has set the internet ablaze by sharing a rare, 9-year-old photo of himself that was reportedly removed from the web almost a decade ago. The image shows Musk in a striking gothic look, donning a black, double-breasted jacket with metallic buttons, his hair longer than usual, and a serious expression as he stares directly into the camera. The ensemble gave off a distinct gothic or Victorian vibe, much different from Musk's usual public persona.

The photo resurfaced after Musk shared it on X (formerly Twitter), humorously commenting, “Can’t believe it’s been so long.” The tech mogul’s post quickly went viral, racking up over 15 million views and 148,000 likes.

Can’t believe it’s been so long 😂 pic.twitter.com/4ohOEeYWXb

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 20, 2025

Along with his caption, the image featured text that read, “It’s been 9 years since Elon Musk permanently had this photo removed from the internet.” His followers wasted no time flooding the post with memes and humorous commentary.

“Welcome back to the internet this picture,” one user responded, while another joked, “Looks like the god of all gamers going ftw.” Many embraced Musk’s “goth” phase, with one user commenting, “Proof that even billionaires have their 'midnight vampire phase.' Don’t worry, Elon, the internet never forgets, but it sure loves a glow-up!”

Musk’s unique style has sparked a range of reactions, with fans and critics alike enjoying the nostalgia and wit surrounding the throwback image. One fan shared, “This is actually one of my favorites. It’s that goth look. Goth has my heart ,” while another lightheartedly quipped, “Now we know why the EU is afraid of you.”