Entertainment · Film · 12 hrs ago
Musk posts Star Wars image amid online trend praising Anakin
Elon Musk shared an AI-generated Star Wars image on X showing Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Amidala and their children dressed as members of the Empire.
He captioned it, “This is what they stole from us,” without explaining who “they” were or what was lost.
The post joined a growing online trend that presents Anakin as a symbol of grievances about family, culture and recognition.
The memes recast the Jedi as out-of-touch authorities and sometimes portray Anakin as a victim of unfair systems.
That view leaves out his turn to authoritarian rule, his killing of Jedi younglings and his attack on Padmé, who opposed his actions.
Anakin later redeems himself by killing the Emperor and sacrificing himself for his children, but that ending does not erase his earlier violence.
The coverage describes the trend as ongoing, but gives no specific next step.
Elon Musk posted an image of the Skywalker family dressed as members of the Galactic Empire, captioned “This is what they stole from us.”
The post appeared on X on Nov. 1 amid online memes presenting Anakin Skywalker in a positive light.
The trend has drawn criticism for romanticizing Anakin, who became Darth Vader and committed atrocities.
The image shows Anakin seated on a throne with Padmé and their children, Luke and Leia.
The sources say the precise origins of the current trend are unclear.
- Who
- Elon Musk posted the image. Other posts in the trend came from right-wing commentators and accounts, including Katie Miller.
- What
- Musk shared an image of Anakin, Padmé, Luke and Leia dressed in Imperial-style clothing, captioned “This is what they stole from us.
- When
- Nov. 1, 2026.
- Where
- On X.
- Why
- The post appeared amid a trend presenting Anakin positively and using nostalgia memes. Musk’s intended meaning is unclear.
Right-wing voices presenting Anakin positively
Critics of romanticizing Anakin
Character and trend
Right-wing voices presenting Anakin positively
Some portray Anakin as a victim of corrupt systems and use him as a symbol of modern grievances.
Critics of romanticizing Anakin
Critics point to his murders, including of Jedi younglings, and his abuse of Padmé.
The imagined Imperial family
Right-wing voices presenting Anakin positively
The image evokes a version of the Skywalkers living together under Imperial rule.
Critics of romanticizing Anakin
Critics argue that this was never a plausible future in the story, and that Padmé would not accept a role supporting oppression.
The “This is what they took from us” nostalgia meme began, according to Polygon.
A post showing young Anakin before the Jedi Council and captioned “The white male experience” went viral on X.
Katie Miller posted a Halloween photo of herself dressed as Padmé with the caption “Find the Anakin in your life.
Musk posted the Skywalker family image on X with the caption “This is what they stole from us.
- Post date
- Nov. 1, 2026
- Platform
- X
- Caption
- This is what they stole from us
- Image characters
- Anakin, Padmé, Luke and Leia
- Viral Anakin post
- More than 1.5 million views
3 sources
What people are saying
This is what they stole from us
Find the Anakin in your life
can’t follow
Posts on X
This is what they stole from us