Elon Musk has made a habit of bringing his son, X AE A-Xii (whom he often refers to as X), to high-profile events, including a notable occasion at the White House on Tuesday. During an executive order signing with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, Musk's son inadvertently stole some of the attention. At one point, President Trump even commented on the boy’s intelligence, calling him a "high IQ individual," although the president also seemed to grow frustrated with his presence.
The executive order, which Musk introduced, instructs federal agencies to work with his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce government spending. As Musk spoke with reporters, his son appeared to speak to the president, prompting Trump to turn away in apparent irritation. The boy then said something else, leading Trump to reach out to him, likely to quiet him while Musk continued his remarks. At one point, the child was also seen picking his nose—a typical behavior for his age, though perhaps less fitting in the Oval Office.
Musk has frequently brought his son to events, especially during his campaign, but his decision to bring X to the Oval Office sparked criticism from many on social media, with some accusing Musk of using his child as a "prop." One user expressed concern, asking why Musk's son was being treated this way, while another wrote, "Elon Musk doesn't belong in the US government."
Musk’s DOGE initiative is aimed at identifying and eliminating wasteful government spending. However, the plan has encountered legal hurdles. Federal courts have resisted efforts to grant Musk access to sensitive Treasury Department records related to DOGE. Additionally, a controversial plan to place thousands of USAID staff on administrative leave has faced setbacks. A federal judge, Carl Nichols, blocked an attempt to send workers overseas on leave, ruling that their families would have to return to the U.S. within 30 days at government expense.
Musk also faced legal challenges regarding DOGE’s efforts to obtain confidential data from the Treasury, including sensitive personal information. Meanwhile, the courts are still dealing with the broader issue of federal funding, as the Justice Department criticizes the current judicial actions as "intolerable judicial overreach." These legal battles continue, even after Musk and Trump concluded their press briefing.
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