Elon Musk became the center of attention during a Cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump on Wednesday when he arrived wearing two hats—one stacked on top of the other.
The bottom hat was a black cap from the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly called DOGE. On top of that, he placed a bold red cap with the words “Gulf of America” embroidered across the front. The unusual style choice quickly caught the eyes of those in the room and made waves online shortly after.
The incident happened during a scheduled meeting at the White House, where Musk joined Trump and other Cabinet members to discuss ongoing government spending cuts. Cameras captured the exchange, and the clip quickly made its rounds on social media. The Gulf of America cap refers to a recent executive order from Trump that directs federal agencies to stop using the term “Gulf of Mexico.” The order has already caused friction with news outlets, including the Associated Press, which was banned from the White House press room after continuing to use the original name.
The reason behind Musk’s decision to wear both hats at once hasn’t been officially explained, but it appeared to be both playful and pointed. It was a visual way to show his connection to Trump’s administration while nodding to the recent name change order. Musk is known for his eccentric public appearances, and this was just the latest example. A few weeks ago, he wore a cheese-shaped hat on stage during a political event in Wisconsin.
People started talking about Musk’s hats almost immediately. Viewers of the live stream took to social media to comment on the display, with some joking about the double hat being a symbol of how many roles Musk plays, while others saw it as a subtle political statement. Some Cabinet members reacted with laughter, and the moment added a bit of lightness to the otherwise formal meeting.
This meeting was also part of Trump’s ongoing push to cut government costs and reduce spending, with Musk playing a key advisory role through the DOGE initiative. Trump told those in attendance that Musk would continue working on the program for as long as he wanted. Musk no longer operates out of the White House, instead working remotely, but he remains closely involved in these efforts.
For now, Musk’s hats have become more than just fashion—they’ve sparked a conversation that mixes politics, media control, and humor. The image of one of the world’s richest men balancing two caps in a high-level government meeting is already being shared widely, turning a routine discussion into one of the most talked-about moments of the week.