Late conservative activist
Charlie Kirk’s funeral saw an outpour of thousands of people as they shared in the grief and mourned the late 31-year-old, but one of the moments that made the memorial memorable and significant was a surprising reunion: of
Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
Once thick as thieves, the MAGA Men, Elon and Donald, had a very public feud earlier this year, following Musk’s departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Months after that, the two heavyweights came together on September 21, for Charlie.
What happened
At Charlie Kirk’s memorial service on September 21, Musk and President Trump were seen together at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, keeping aside their strained relationship in the last few months. This was the first time since Musk stepped down from heading Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) that the two have been seen together with no visible tension. Musk even shared a photo of the reunion on his platform X with the single caption: “For Charlie.”
The moment grabbed more attention not just for the reconciliation, but for a small, unusual gesture: Musk brought his hands together in front of him, forming a triangle or “pyramid” shape. Immediately, that hand gesture set the internet abuzz. And it wasn’t just Musk; Trump, too, appeared to mirror or participate in a similar posture. That’s what got people talking.
But what does this gesture really mean? And why did it stand out so much at this serious occasion?
What is the “pyramid hand symbol”?
This gesture is known in body language studies as “steepling”, hand-steepling, or forming a hand triangle/pyramid (sometimes called “Merkel diamond,” after former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who often used it). It involves placing fingertips or palms together in front of the torso, forming a shape that resembles a triangle or pyramid.
In the context of Elon Musk, the symbol has sparked various interpretations, with some suggesting it represents a sign of power or influence. People use it for a variety of reasons: confidence, authority, self-assurance, or deep thought. It can be subconscious. It’s a way of non-verbally signaling you are confident, maybe in charge, or have something important on your mind. This symbol has often been seen in politics, diplomacy, business meetings – whenever someone wants to present calm power.
Apart from these, there are some other possibilities as well. As Musk and Trump mirrored each other while doing the gesture, it might be an indicator that the MAGA Men are ready to move past their earlier feud. The triangle may suggest alignment rather than conflict.
What the internet thinks
Although Musk’s (and Trump’s) pyramid hand gesture has grabbed the attention of the internet, the netizens are far from being amused this time. One user expressed their irritation quite openly on X, saying, “Why do they flash this hand sign every single time?”
Another clarified, “It's a Mudra that helps you with mental clarity and focus.”
A third user said, “Well it's not hidden anymore. It's on display. All the time. Someone should ask them what it's about. Especially Trump,” while others deemed the hand gesture as “It’s a power stance,” “It’s a cult,” so on and so forth.
The Trump-Musk feud: A brief recap
Earlier this year, Elon Musk and Donald Trump were at odds over the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a significant piece of legislation introduced during Trump's second term. Musk criticized the bill, leading to a public fallout between the two. Their dispute escalated with Musk launching the "America Party," a political movement aimed at offering an alternative to the existing political establishment.
Now, months after all that, the two MAGA Men came together under the same roof – or rather, at the same stadium. Despite their differences, both Musk and Trump attended the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, signaling a potential reconciliation.
While people have already made many speculations, it’s perhaps more practical to keep in mind that reading too much into a mere hand gesture.
Sometimes, people tend to use their hands unmindfully, especially when they feel confident or are listening. The same might have happened for Musk, and he may not even have planned it as a statement. Moreover, the same gesture can mean different things in different contexts, cultures, or to different people. A symbol of power to some might simply be a gesture of thoughtfulness to others.
However, having said that, Musk is quite famous (or, infamous) already for making statements – mostly, controversial ones – with his hand gestures. So, it won’t come as a surprise if this time too, the pyramid hand gesture unfolds and leads to something or the other.
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