Elon Musk Smoking Weed is a reaction image and GIF pulled from Musk's September 2018 appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, where he took a hit from a cannabis joint on camera. The still spread fast on Reddit and Instagram as a reaction and Photoshop template, and even prompted a NASA workplace safety review of SpaceX.
Origin
On September 6, 2018, Musk appeared as a guest on episode 1169 of the Joe Rogan Experience[7]. During the roughly two-and-a-half-hour interview, Rogan lit a joint containing tobacco and cannabis and offered it to Musk, who took a single draw on camera[1]. Fans clipped the moment out of the full podcast and shared it as a standalone GIF and still image almost immediately[3].
- Platform: Joe Rogan Experience podcast / Reddit (viral spread)
- Creator: Unknown
- Date: 2018
Overview
Elon Musk Smoking Weed is a reaction image and short GIF taken from a moment on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast when Musk drew from a lit joint being passed by host Joe Rogan[1]. The still shows Musk mid-inhale with a slightly stunned look, and online it fills the same reaction slot as older "hits blunt" style images[3].
The image is often paired with captions imagining an absurd or reckless idea Musk might be entertaining while high, playing on his public reputation as a chaotic Silicon Valley billionaire[2]. Photoshop edits of the still spread quickly, with hundreds of altered versions circulating on Reddit within a few days[4].
How It Spread
On September 7, 2018, Redditor TheJacobus posted the still to /r/dankmemes with the caption "Dude, what if… what if we launched my car into space," and the post pulled in more than 32,600 points and 520 comments within eight hours[2]. That same day, Australian street artist Lushsux teased an Elon mural on Instagram with the line "Should I paint @elonmusk sMokiNG wEeD brO?"[6].
Redditor Matt32145 uploaded the raw still to /r/photoshopbattles, where it collected over 36,100 points and 560 comments, most of them edited variants of Musk placed into new backgrounds and scenes[4]. A Perfection format riff on the image was also submitted to /r/memeeconomy by Redditor Archer2408[3].
The fallout reached beyond meme feeds. On November 20, 2018, The Washington Post reported that NASA had ordered a workplace safety review of SpaceX, with observers pointing to the podcast footage as the likely trigger[1]. Joe Rogan replied to a Daily Dot writeup of the review by tweeting "LOL WUT"[5].
How to Use
The template works as a reaction slot for a dumb or reckless idea. A caption typically frames a hypothetical Musk is dreaming up while stoned, often in the shape "Dude, what if… what if [absurd plan]," tied to SpaceX, Tesla, or crypto[2]. Editors also drop the cutout of Musk into new backgrounds for Photoshop battle style variants[4].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Elon Musk Smoking Weed?
It is a reaction image and GIF of Elon Musk taking a hit from a joint during his 2018 appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience[1].
Where did Elon Musk Smoking Weed come from?
It comes from episode 1169 of the Joe Rogan Experience, recorded on September 6, 2018, when Rogan handed Musk a lit joint of tobacco and cannabis[1].
What does Elon Musk Smoking Weed mean?
It is typically used to caption an absurd or reckless thought, treating Musk as a stoned billionaire brainstorming his next scheme[2].
How do you use Elon Musk Smoking Weed?
People pair the still with a "Dude, what if…" style caption on Reddit, or Photoshop Musk into new scenes as with the /r/photoshopbattles thread that drew 36,100 points[4].
Is Elon Musk Smoking Weed still popular?
It is still shared as a classic reaction image, though its peak activity was in late 2018 across Reddit and Instagram[3].
