TOPSHOT – Elon Musk speaks as his son X A A-Xii and US President Donald Trump look on in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 11, 2025. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has been tapped by President Donald Trump to lead federal cost-cutting efforts, said the United States would go bankrupt without budget cuts. Musk leads the efforts under the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and was speaking at the White House with Trump, who has in recent weeks unleashed a flurry of orders aimed at slashing federal spending. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s joint press conference made headlines across the world, but it was one surprise guest that also caught viewers’ attention.
During the meeting at the Oval Office on Tuesday, many pointed out that ‘s son seemed to draw the ire of the President. The youngster, named X AiXii, appeared to say something to Trump, who responded by turning away abruptly.
As Musk addressed the media, his son, standing in front of him, seemed to utter something that prompted Trump to reach out in an apparent bid to silence the child. The youngster also seemed to pick his nose at one point, which many would forgive of a five-year-old.
Musk has often brought his son, affectionately referred to as ‘X’, to numerous campaign events. This practice drew criticism from some on social media who accused Musk ofusing his son as a “prop”. At this point, President Trump turned away abruptly.
One user on X, formerly Twitter, said: “Using his son as a prop. doesn’t belong in U.S. government.” Another expressed concern for the child, writing: “My concern is for Musk’s little son. Why is he subjected to being a prop for his Dad?”
The press conference was held for the signing of an executive order aimed at downsizing the federal workforce, reports.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 11: X Musk sits on the shoulders of his father, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, as they join U.S. President Donald Trump for an executive order signing in the Oval Office at the White House on February 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is to sign an executive order implementing the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) workforce optimization initiative, which, according to Trump, will encourage agencies to limit hiring and reduce the size of the federal government. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
The Associated Press reviewed a White House fact sheet on the order, which noted that “agencies will undertake plans for large-scale reductions in force and determine which agency components (or agencies themselves) may be eliminated or combined because their functions aren’t required by law.”
The administration is reportedly tightening its grip on public spending, urging that federal agencies should “hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart from federal service”.
They have, however, indicated there will be exceptions in sectors pivotal to the nation, such as immigration, law enforcement, and public safety.
‘s Department of Government Efficiency, casually dubbed DOGE, has been tasked by Trump with the lofty mission of rooting out profligate expenditure within the myriad folds of federal operations.