The SpaceX CEO was captured on video walking away from his child at what appears to be a Trump-supporting event.
Elon Musk is facing backlash after footage surfaced showing him striding off without his young son, X Æ A-Xii, at an event seemingly in support of Donald Trump.
The clip has quickly gone viral on social media as Trump and Musk continue their collaboration in the White House, where Musk has been appointed as a senior advisor to the president.
Musk has often included his son, known by the nickname X, in his daily activities, even as he navigates the political sphere—recently bringing the young boy to the Oval Office while he and Trump spoke with reporters.
Some viewers found it endearing to see X confidently holding his own while in close company with the POTUS, but others have criticized Musk after he appeared to leave his son behind at an earlier event.
The footage, believed to have been filmed in January, captures Musk descending a metal staircase, waving to fans as he reaches the bottom. Behind him, four-year-old X carefully navigates the wide steps, gripping both handrails as he moves at a slower pace.
A suited man, presumably a security guard, stands at the base of the stairs as X makes his way down. However, Musk doesn’t seem inclined to wait, as the video shows him striding ahead and disappearing off-screen.
You can watch the video here:
The so-called genius forgot his human shield son. What a loving father. pic.twitter.com/p4Pvy4bIXk
— Mukhtar (@I_amMukhtar) February 23, 2025
The camera then cuts back, showing X steadily making his way down the stairs.
Since the video doesn’t reveal whether any other adults were accompanying X at the event, many viewers have been left stunned, with one commenting that the clip “legitimately disturbs—and saddens—” them.
Others found the footage ‘concerning,’ with one person writing: “As a father, I simply cannot understand this. I could be grocery shopping alone and will STILL habitually check below me and behind me. I can’t imagine that habit will go away anytime soon.. my son’s 3. How old is Elon’s? [sic] 5?”
However, some viewers have defended Musk, noting that the event’s security presence likely meant X was never truly unattended.
In response to the video, one person commented on Musk’s parenting: “Why? He does it just right. He can do it, and it helps the child to become independent and self-confident.”