News anchors are being forced to say it on live TV 😳

Musk has once again caused an internet storm, this time by temporarily changing his X (formerly Twitter) display name leaving TV news anchors scrambling to say the name without embarrassment.

The prank took center stage when CNN’s Dana Bash was forced to read the name live on air.

Musk’s tweet about a ‘judicial coup; came amid legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s executive orders.

As the head of the Department of Efficiency (DOGE) – a division created to eliminate bureaucratic waste – Musk has been at the center of several government shakeups.

DOGE, which Trump described as ‘the Manhattan Project of our time,’ was established to streamline federal agencies and eliminate redundant spending.

Musk’s involvement has already led to major actions, including the termination of FEMA officials for misallocating funds, particularly a $59 million expenditure on luxury hotels for migrants in New York City.

He’s also enforcing the abrupt closure of numerous government programs deemed excessive or inefficient.

An ongoing attempt to dismantle USAID, the federal agency responsible for billions in foreign aid programs, sparking backlash from humanitarian groups is another of Musk’s initiatives.

Musk’s leadership in DOGE has made him both a hero to fiscal conservatives and a villain to government officials resisting cuts. His actions recently led to a restraining order preventing DOGE from accessing U.S. Treasury payment systems, after 19 states challenged its growing authority.

Musk’s restructuring efforts through DOGE have led to increasing tensions within the government.

In one of the latest incidents, DOGE officials allegedly stormed the Department of Education, canceling grants and contracts in real-time.

Lawmakers, particularly from the Democratic side, have strongly opposed these move

Representative Melanie Stansbury stated: “They are in the building, on the 6th floor, canceling grants and contracts. It’s not legal. They know it’s not legal. But they’re doing it anyway.”

She added that she expects the Department of Education to be “dissolved in the coming days.”

But now, it’s a name-change stunt that has Musk back in the headlines, as he forced a CNN anchor to say it live on air.

Clearly hesitant, Bash stated: “Disruptor-in-chief, Elon Musk, who apparently has adopted the alias – at least he changed his social media handle to Harry Bōlz – tweeted this morning: ‘Democracy in America is being destroyed by the judicial coup. An activist judge is not a real judge.’”

Musk, known for his online antics, wasted no time in celebrating the moment. He shared the clip, writing: “Made them say my name,” followed by laughing emojis.

The internet quickly erupted in laughter and disbelief. One user quipped: “Elon Musk changes his handle name to Harry Bōlz – CNN anchor lands up saying ‘hairy balls’ on live TV.”

Another added: “So long, Harry Bōlz. Getting CNN to say it was worth it.”

Many found Musk’s ability to manipulate the media hilarious, with some suggesting he keep the joke going.

One comment read: “The fact that Elon Musk has the power to make CNN keep saying Harry Bōlz is hysterical. He should change his name once a day just to make them look stupid. What name should he use tomorrow?”

As with many Musk-related stunts, the cryptocurrency world was quick to react.

Two Solana-based meme coins named Harry Bōlz saw a sudden surge in value, with one trader reportedly turning a $156 investment into $52,000 overnight.

This isn’t the first time Musk has played with his name for laughs.

He previously adopted Harry Bōlz as his handle in April 2023, jokingly posting: “Tbh, I’m just hoping a media org that takes itself way too seriously writes a story about Harry Bōlz …”

Despite the backlash, Musk remains undeterred. With his name change stunt making headlines and his government role growing increasingly controversial, it’s clear that Elon Musk’s influence—both online and in Washington—is stronger than ever.