Elon Musk recently set social media abuzz with a tweet featuring a clip from Netflix’s “Narcos,” where Pablo Escobar, portrayed by actor Wagner Moura, is seen smoking a joint. Musk captioned the post, “Actual footage of me after @realDonaldTrump won,” referring to Donald Trump’s 2024 victory. The tweet’s provocative nature, tying a drug kingpin character to a political celebration, triggered a range of reactions online.
Musk's Cannabis Advocacy And Public Persona
Musk's selection of a cannabis-themed scene aligns with his public stance on marijuana and psychedelics. In 2018, Musk famously smoked a joint during a live appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” sparking both cultural fascination and corporate scrutiny. The incident even prompted NASA to review SpaceX's workplace practices.
Beyond this, Musk has consistently supported the legalization of cannabis and the therapeutic use of psychedelics, recently describing them as "pretty helpful" for conditions like PTSD and depression. His tweet juxtaposes this advocacy with a tongue-in-cheek nod to cannabis culture, though some critics have questioned the appropriateness of invoking Escobar’s likeness in the context of drug reform.
Musk's Role In Trump's Reelection And Political Context
The tweet coincides with Musk's increasing prominence in U.S. politics. As co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a special initiative within President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming administration, Musk is tasked with identifying waste in federal operations and driving cost-cutting measures.
See also: Trump Taps Cannabis Supporters Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy To Slash Government Spending
The role cements Musk's alignment with Trump's deregulatory platform, but his cannabis-friendly public image contrasts sharply with conservative perspectives on drug policy.
Wagner Moura's Political Views And Social Media Irony
Wagner Moura, the Brazilian actor known for his portrayal of Escobar in “Narcos,” holds progressive political views that contrast with Musk's alignment with Trump. Moura has openly supported leftist causes in Brazil and has been an outspoken critic of authoritarianism. While he has not directly criticized Trump on record, his advocacy for democratic values and opposition to leaders like Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro suggest ideological differences with Trump's approach.
This clash between Moura and Musk was not lost on social media. One Twitter user noted, "This actor is Brazilian. He hates Donald Trump and loves Fidel Castro," while another added, "This actor is Brazilian, liberal, and deeply hates you, Elon." Moura has not publicly commented on the incident, but the online reactions pointed out the irony of Musk's use of the clip
Photo by Daniel Oberhaus via Wikimedia Commons, edited by Benzinga
