In a move that has left the mainstream media red-faced and conservatives laughing, Elon Musk, the genius entrepreneur behind Tesla and the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), played a clever trick on the press during a White House meeting. Known for his witty social media presence and knack for trolling the left, Musk decided to mess with reporters who would undoubtedly be snapping photos of his notepad during the meeting.

Instead of writing down any actual notes, Musk boldly scribbled “Top Secret!!” on his pad, knowing full well that the media would fall right into the trap. And, of course, they did. It was only a matter of time before the image of Musk’s notepad hit social media, with the liberal press in full-on panic mode, convinced they had stumbled upon some secretive government plot.

The hilarious moment made headlines on April 11, 2025, after conservative commentator Owen Sparks posted the image to X (formerly Twitter). “Elon knows the games the media plays, so he decided to mess with them at the cabinet meeting by writing ‘Top Secret’ on his notepad, knowing they would be snapping pics of his notes/phone. 😂” Sparks wrote.

Conservatives couldn’t help but revel in Musk’s witty jab at the mainstream media, which they accuse of incessantly attacking him and twisting his every move. “Bro continues troll,” one user commented. “This is probably one of the ways to beat the left. Their inability to parse out sarcasm from reality is a big weakness. Pretty easy to manipulate them.”

Indeed, the left’s obsession with Musk has been nothing short of bizarre. Despite Musk’s unparalleled achievements in revolutionizing electric cars, space exploration, and now leading DOGE in its mission to root out government corruption, the mainstream media still can’t seem to shake their negative bias against him. One user lamented, “I literally just read a rant by a liberal who whined saying Elon had contributed nothing to society and is only enriching himself. After a person listed his long list of incredible achievements, they still dug in. It’s amazing the way this man has been treated.”

The prank wasn’t just a clever jab—it was a reminder of how easily the media falls for Musk’s mind games. One commenter hit the nail on the head: “Classic Elon. Trolls the media better than CNN trolls the truth. Writes ‘Top Secret’ just to watch them panic—and they fell for it like always. Man’s not just playing chess, he’s designing the board.”

Of course, not everyone saw the prank as a mockery of the press. Some took to social media to express their admiration for Musk’s ability to manipulate the leftist media machine. “I love Elon, warts and all,” one user wrote. “The man has a good heart, good intentions and a grasp on a social conscience that appears to be sorely lacking in his haters….green is definitely their color 😂.”

Another user offered an enthusiastic endorsement of Musk’s role in government, saying, “Elon is the greatest government aide America has ever had, I’m so glad there’s finally a genius in the Oval Office.”

Musk’s prank not only exposed the media’s bias and gullibility, but also reminded us of the dangers of a press that has forgotten how to ask critical questions. As Musk’s prank spread across the internet, it became more than just a funny moment—it highlighted the absurd lengths the mainstream media will go to in order to discredit successful conservatives like Musk.

In the end, this prank was yet another example of how Elon Musk continues to outwit the left, exposing the weaknesses of a media machine more interested in creating narratives than reporting the truth.