Tesla logo goes viral amid claims of KKK resemblance following Kanye West controversy

A new viral meme has thrust Tesla into the social media spotlight, with users claiming the electric carmaker’s logo, when flipped upside down, resembles the pointed hood of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

The stylised 'T' emblem, originally designed to symbolise a cross-section of an electric motor, has now sparked outrage and debate online due to its unintended visual similarity.

The controversy began when a TikTok user shared a video highlighting the resemblance. The clip quickly spread across platforms, with thousands reposting and commenting on the striking visual.

One user on X stated, “Bro, somebody said that the Tesla emblem upside down is a KKK face covering, and I just can’t unsee it.” “They’ve been hiding in plain sight,” wrote one user. Another added, “The Tesla logo upside down… ring any bells?”  Others echoed similar sentiments.

The meme gained traction at a time of heightened scrutiny for Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk. Just days earlier, Kanye West appeared in a controversial interview wearing an all-black outfit resembling KKK robes, intensifying public discourse around symbols and hate group associations. 

The timing also coincides with mounting public protests against Tesla across the United States. Demonstrators have voiced concerns about Elon Musk’s appointment as a special adviser in the Trump administration, particularly his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).