Elon Musk's son, X AE A-Xii, caused a stir at a joint press conference in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, where he appeared to pick his nose. As Musk addressed the press, his son, standing in front of him, seemingly made a comment that prompted Trump to extend his hand in an attempt to quiet him while Musk continued speaking.
At one point, the young boy was seen picking his nose, which, while typical for children, raised eyebrows. Musk frequently brings his son, known as X (short for X AE A-Xii), to various events, including campaign appearances.
Social media critics were quick to voice their disapproval of Musk bringing his child to the event, with some accusing him of using his son as a "prop." One Twitter user wrote, "Using his son as a prop. Elon Musk doesn't belong in US government." Another expressed concern for the child, stating, "Why is Musk's little son subjected to being a prop for his dad?"
Musk was in Washington to observe the signing of an executive order aimed at reducing the size of the federal workforce, according to the Irish Star. The Associated Press reviewed a White House fact sheet outlining the order, which calls for significant reductions in federal agencies and suggests that some agencies could be eliminated or merged if their functions are no longer required by law.
The order also directs federal agencies to "hire no more than one employee for every four that depart federal service." However, exceptions have been made for immigration, law enforcement, and public safety roles.
As part of the initiative, Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been tasked with identifying and eliminating wasteful government spending across federal agencies. However, DOGE has encountered legal challenges. Federal courts have blocked attempts to access sensitive Treasury records, as well as efforts to place large numbers of USAID staff on furlough.
US District Judge Carl Nichols, appointed by Trump, halted a plan to force thousands of USAID employees stationed overseas to return to the US within 30 days, with the government covering relocation costs. The following day, US District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer blocked DOGE's attempt to access Treasury documents containing private information about citizens.
After Musk and Trump concluded their press briefing on Tuesday, a federal appeals court dismissed an emergency appeal to freeze a judge's order requiring the administration to release billions in withheld federal grants and loans. The 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston rejected the appeal but indicated that the lower court judge would need to clarify the ruling soon.
The Justice Department has criticized the lower court's directive to release all federal grants and loans as "intolerable judicial overreach."
0 Comments