Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk made his first public appearance alongside U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, unveiling new initiatives aimed at reducing government spending.
However, the spotlight briefly shifted to Musk’s young son, X Æ A-Xii, who made an unscripted cameo.
Dressed in a black “Make America Great Again” cap, a black t-shirt, and an overcoat, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO joined Trump in the Oval Office to address reporters. Seated behind the historic Resolute Desk, Trump announced Musk’s appointment to lead federal cost-cutting efforts through the newly established “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE).
Musk warned that the United States was at risk of going “bankrupt” without significant budgetary reforms. He pledged to tackle inefficiencies and reduce the influence of what he called an “unelected bureaucracy,” acknowledging that mistakes would likely occur along the way. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest in Musk’s new role.
Trump signed an executive order granting DOGE expanded powers, enabling the agency to direct federal departments to implement sweeping budget cuts. The move has drawn criticism from constitutional experts, who argue that it concentrates excessive power within the executive branch.
But amidst the serious policy discussions, Musk’s son X Æ A-Xii stole the show.
“Gravitas can be difficult sometimes,” Musk quipped as his young son squirmed and chattered during the remarks. The boy, dressed in a tan overcoat, knelt against Trump’s desk at one point and picked his nose as Musk spoke about consumer debt, adding an unexpected lighthearted moment to the event.
Musk’s unconventional style and outspoken persona have been part of his appeal to Trump, who tapped him to spearhead the ambitious government overhaul. Musk, a major donor to Trump’s campaign, contributing $250 million, has assembled a team of engineers to execute a rigorous efficiency program within federal agencies.
