Elon Musk is at the center of a new online tempest after claims resurfaced that he may be operating an X account under the alias “Adrian Dittmann.”
The discussion started when a 4chan user who identified as Dittmann shared a purported screenshot illustrating X’s admin options, raising questions about whether only individuals with elevated access—or potentially Musk himself—could have produced such an image.
The allegations take on greater weight because Musk’s moderation policies on X have already attracted criticism, and his interactions with certain groups on the platform have been under public scrutiny. While Musk has publicly ridiculed the burner-account theory, independent analysis and a string of curious statements continue to stoke the debate.
In the now-deleted 4chan post, the image included references to “switch account,” “bans,” and “admin portal,” as well as detailed engagement metrics typically visible only to the original poster.
Adrian Dittmann posted on 4chan and accidentally revealed that he has admin privileges on twitter lol pic.twitter.com/ikbu1ZkopW
— anti-inflation supersoldier (@bluser12) January 2, 2025
By itself, a manipulated screenshot is feasible, but some observers find it suspicious that the user in question specifically defended Musk’s recent moderation decisions in the same forum. Those who believe Musk and Dittmann are the same person point out that the entire conversation on 4chan appeared around the same time Musk faced accusations of suspending or demonetizing accounts tied to hardline critics.
Supporters of Dittmann maintain that the account is just an overenthusiastic admirer with enough technical savvy to replicate admin-level screenshots or that he may be a confidant of Musk with legitimate access.
There is no proof that "Adrian Dittman" on 4chan is necessarily "Adrian Dittman" on Twitter (now X). However, the image makes that problem essentially moot. The full image on the 4chan post is deleted now, as are the posts themselves. But an annotated version of the full image is on Reddit (below).
— PlainSite (@plainsite.org) January 3, 2025 at 5:24 AM
[image or embed]
Origins of the Dittmann Persona and Its Devotion
Dittmann’s presence on X is not new. For over a year, the account has praised Musk in ways that some find excessively personal, leading to the theory that it might serve as a public-relations mouthpiece.
In early 2024, Dittmann replied to a photo of one of Musk’s children with the remark: “You’re an amazing father, Elon. Your kids are very lucky to have you.” On another occasion, the account lauded the billionaire for getting “lots of sex.” Many followers saw these remarks as unusually effusive or awkward, fueling speculation that Dittmann is either a fabricated persona or a deeply committed fan.
Far from distancing himself from these musings, Musk has occasionally interacted with the Dittmann account on X, sometimes joking with it and other times ignoring it while addressing broader issues. According to some observers, this behavior lends credibility to the argument that Musk is either orchestrating the account or offering tacit approval to someone close to him.
Musk’s daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson has, on multiple occasions, hinted that her father might be connected to Dittmann, though she has not provided tangible proof.
Critics emphasize that until definitive images or identity-verification methods are presented, the account’s real operator will remain a mystery.
UC Berkeley Voice Analysis and Biometric Scores
A key pillar of the ongoing debate is the work of Hany Farid, a professor jointly appointed in UC Berkeley’s Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences Department and the School of Information.
Farid specializes in digital forensics and human perception, and he decided to explore the Musk-Dittmann conundrum as “an interesting forensic question.” In a widely discussed LinkedIn post, Farid explained his methodology for biometric voice identification and laid out the startling results. He wrote:
“I estimate that only 0.5% of all voices from two distinct individuals will have a biometric score above 0.65. These two voices are unusually similar, and while it is improbable that they are different people, it is not impossible.”
Farid’s scoring system compared Dittmann’s voice to a reference clip of Musk, producing a 0.65 similarity. In the same test, Musk’s own voice measured about 0.85 in comparison to that same reference track. While 0.65 may not be conclusive evidence that Musk and Dittmann are one person, Farid noted it is significantly higher than what would typically be expected from two random speakers. He also stated:
“I may have missed it, but I have not seen any video of the Dittmann persona which would, obviously, help to clarify who (or what) is behind this voice.”
Farid was clear that his analysis does not eliminate the possibility of real-time voice modulators or partial manipulation. He also pointed out that the voice samples he analyzed did not bear conclusive signs of being computer-generated, implying that if someone is imitating Musk, they are doing so in real time rather than relying on fully pre-recorded or synthetic audio.
Skeptics, meanwhile, argue that with millions of voices on X, the Dittmann persona could simply be one of the rare individuals whose vocal patterns align with Musk’s.
Infowars Appearance and Denial
While the debate might have remained a niche conspiracy, it gained traction when Dittmann addressed the subject on Infowars, a platform hosted by Alex Jones. During an appearance, Dittmann declared he was not Elon Musk.
Adrian Dittmann (Who Is NOT Elon Musk) Responds To Google's War On White People pic.twitter.com/jNMFI1Us7q
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) February 23, 2024
This statement did little to quell speculation, largely because it was delivered in a context where the account did not present any visual proof of an entirely separate identity. Dittmann did not offer documentation, nor did he appear on camera. Critics found it suspicious that a persona who had amassed a large following would make an audio-only statement on a controversial forum instead of producing more transparent evidence.
Nonetheless, some took Dittmann’s denial at face value. They note that Musk and Dittmann have spoken in the same X Spaces conversation, occasionally talking over each other—a scenario that might be complicated to fake without advanced tools.
NOT Elon Musk- Adrian Dittmann- Talks About The Future Of Space X pic.twitter.com/cELUZCSieu
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) March 29, 2024
Others counter that it could be staged or that a second voice was present to act as Dittmann while Musk took on a different role. The uncertain nature of live audio, they say, still leaves plenty of room for misdirection.
Contributing Factors: Moderation Conflicts on X
The timing of the screenshot’s emergence and Dittmann’s repeated statements in defense of Musk has also drawn attention to an overlapping controversy about moderation on X. Musk faced backlash from certain right-wing users over perceived leniency toward immigration policies, including H-1B visas.
In response, some critics accused him of suspending their accounts or demonetizing their posts. Dittmann made several pro-Musk statements on 4chan’s /pol/ board, posting messages that aligned exactly with Musk’s stance and calling for critics to look at “all the good Musk has done.”
Observers note that it is not uncommon for public figures to maintain secondary accounts, sometimes as a way to gauge real-time user reactions or to engage in arguments without the constraints of their primary verified identity. Musk himself acknowledged in past instances that he tested X’s features using a burner profile, once roleplaying as a child relative. These revelations contribute to the sense that he might be comfortable posting through a concealed handle to manage or influence public opinion.
Mother’s Comment and Daughter’s Views
Maye Musk, Elon’s mother, briefly waded into the discussion during an X Spaces session, reportedly claiming that Dittmann “sounded like Musk speaking through a megaphone.”
Elon’s mom Maye Musk had a hard time telling the difference between Elon’s and Adrian Dittmann’s voice! It's mind blowing how much he sounds like Elon! pic.twitter.com/EAwy2sBSTO
— LilHumansBigImpact (@BigImpactHumans) February 20, 2024
Although not an official transcript, this remark further convinced some listeners that she was picking up on the uncanny vocal similarities. However, Maye Musk later seemed unsure whether the voice was precisely Elon’s, adding to the confusion instead of definitively settling it.
Meanwhile, Musk’s daughter has periodically echoed sentiments that her father could be behind the Dittmann account. None of her statements have been thoroughly documented beyond scattered social media mentions, but they were enough to garner attention from fans and conspiracy theorists who see the entire affair as part of Musk’s unpredictable online persona.
Technological Factors: Biometric Identification and Voice Modulators
One of the most debated elements of this case centers on biometric voice identification and voice modulation. Biometric voice identification typically measures pitch, speed, timbre, and other acoustic markers to determine how closely one voice sample matches another. Farid’s analysis rests on the premise that two completely distinct individuals rarely share such a close match, although exceptions may exist in large populations.
A voice modulator, on the other hand, can alter a speaker’s pitch or other vocal characteristics in real time. Such tools are popular among gamers, streamers, and individuals seeking anonymity. If Dittmann is indeed Musk, one possibility is that he is only slightly modifying his accent or intonation—enough to produce mild discrepancies from his well-known manner of speaking. Alternatively, if the Dittmann persona belongs to someone else, that individual might be imitating Musk intentionally or blending a genuine German accent with Musk’s patterns to create confusion.
Why the Mystery Persists
Part of the reason this burner-account theory endures is that Musk has a penchant for playful or confusing statements. He sometimes posts memes or interacts with troll accounts on his own platform, leading many to believe he would not shy away from entertaining an alter ego. Onlookers also remember Musk’s short-lived shift to private accounts in the past, which shows he has tested hidden or alternative user names before.
Yet a conclusive resolution remains elusive. With no confirmed video or in-person appearance by Dittmann, and with Musk’s side offering only ridicule of the rumors, proof one way or the other has yet to emerge. Hany Farid’s work points to a strong vocal overlap, but no absolute certainty. The 4chan screenshot might be a product of advanced image editing, or it could signal legitimate admin access, thus implicating Musk or an X insider. Until further data surfaces, each new piece of circumstantial evidence continues to feed speculation rather than end it.
Ongoing Uncertainty
Musk has not offered substantive details to end the rumor, and Dittmann has not revealed his true identity beyond vague statements of being a German speaker who learned English through BBC broadcasts and gaming. The entire scenario illustrates how modern platforms and voice technologies can blur the lines of online identity. As Farid explained:
“These two voices are unusually similar, and while it is improbable that they are different people, it is not impossible.”
For Musk’s supporters, the possibility that he is simply having fun at critics’ expense remains as plausible as the theory that he is being wrongly accused. For skeptics, the repeated coincidences, close ties to Musk’s policy disputes, and the eerily synchronized statements on X suggest a more orchestrated ploy.
