You’ve probably seen some weird things on the internet, but a 12-foot-tall bust of elon musk that looks like it crawled out of a fever dream is in a league of its own. Honestly, the first time you see it, you don't know whether to laugh or look away. It’s got this wide-jawed, almost caricatured expression that’s become legendary in certain corners of the web.
It isn't just a random art project.
Basically, this massive sculpture—often referred to as the "MemeLord" bust—is the physical manifestation of a 2019 Reddit post. A user named Watchieboy shared a portrait they’d drawn of Musk, admiting they were "fairly new to drawing" and asking for advice. The internet did what it does best: it turned a slightly awkward drawing into an immortal meme.
Fast forward a few years, and a cryptocurrency group decided this was the perfect symbol for their movement. They didn't just want a digital file; they wanted 12 feet of foam and fiberglass.
The Story Behind the 12-foot-tall bust of elon musk
Most people get this confused with the other giant Musk monument—the $600,000 "Elon GOAT" statue that features his head on the body of a goat riding a rocket. That one was 30 feet long and made of aluminum.
The 12-foot-tall bust of elon musk we’re talking about is different. It was commissioned by a group called ElonRWA. They actually tracked down the original artist from the 2019 Reddit thread and bought the rights to the sketch. They then hired a 3D printing fabrication agency in Utah to turn that specific, weirdly charming drawing into a massive physical object.
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It's huge.
The goal was to bridge the gap between "meme culture" and "real-world assets" (that’s what the RWA stands for). In August 2024, they even hauled it around Brownsville, Texas, on the back of a Cybertruck for an event they called "Elon Day." It was supposed to be a tribute, a way to bring the digital world into the physical space.
Why it ended up in the middle of nowhere
The bust eventually found a home on private land near Boca Chica Village. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because it’s right next to SpaceX’s Starbase facility. It sat there along the road, a towering, wide-mouthed sentinel watching over the path to the Mars rockets.
For a while, it was just a quirky roadside attraction. Fans would stop, take selfies with the giant foam head, and post them on X (formerly Twitter). It represented a specific kind of tech-bro optimism—the idea that even a "bad" drawing can become something monumental if enough people believe in the meme.
What happened when things turned south
The problem with being a 12-foot-tall lightning rod for public opinion is that not everyone loves the subject. In early April 2025, the statue was vandalized.
It wasn't just a little spray paint.
Photos showed deep gashes in the right cheek and what looked like knife stabs to the chin and neck. It happened during a period of high political tension, and the bust became a target for people frustrated with Musk’s growing influence in government and his role in federal job cuts.
The landowner, who had allowed the statue to stay on his property, ended up filing a report with the Cameron County Sheriff’s Office. It’s kinda sad when you think about it—a project that started as a genuine, if slightly goofy, tribute to an artist's first attempt at a portrait ended up caught in the crossfire of national politics.
The technical side of the build
Building something this big isn't easy. You can't just hit "print" and walk away.
- Materials: It’s primarily made of high-density foam with a fiberglass coating to protect it from the Texas sun.
- Fabrication: A Utah-based agency used 3D scans of the original 2D drawing to create a three-dimensional model.
- Transport: Moving a 12-foot head requires serious logistics. It was designed to be moved via trailer, often pulled by—you guessed it—a Tesla.
Is the statue still there?
The status of the 12-foot-tall bust of elon musk is a bit up in the air right now. After the vandalism, there were talks about repairing it. One artist even stepped forward to offer their services for free.
However, the crypto group behind it, ElonRWA, hasn't been as vocal lately. Their token's value is, to put it mildly, extremely low. Whether they have the funds or the will to keep the "MemeLord" standing in the harsh South Texas wind is a question many are asking.
Honestly, the statue serves as a weird time capsule. It captures a moment when the line between internet jokes and multimillion-dollar tech empires was completely blurred. It’s a reminder that once you put something out into the real world, you can’t control how people react to it.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Story
If you're planning to head down to Boca Chica to see it for yourself, or if you're just fascinated by the intersection of memes and monuments, here’s what you should know:
- Check Local Updates: Before driving out to Starbase, check recent social media posts from SpaceX fans on X. They usually post daily updates of the area, and you can see if the statue is currently standing or under repair.
- Understand the Land: The statue is on private property near the road. You can see it from public access points, but don't trespass. The local authorities in Cameron County are pretty strict about the areas surrounding the launch site.
- Differentiate the Sculptures: Don't confuse this bust with the "Elon GOAT" (the one on the rocket). They are two different projects by two different groups. This one is specifically the "MemeLord" bust based on the 2019 drawing.
The 12-foot-tall bust of elon musk might be damaged, and it might be controversial, but it’s definitely one of the most unique pieces of folk art in the modern tech era. Whether it gets fixed or eventually hauled away, it’s already made its mark on the Texas landscape.