In yet another viral photo-op on the White House lawn Friday, President Donald Trump was captured gesturing warmly toward Elon Musk’s 4-year-old son, X Æ A-12, stirring controversy and drawing sharp criticism over the optics and implications.
The moment quickly spread on social media after the White House shared images on X (formerly Twitter) captioned, “President Trump & Lil X.” In the footage, Trump is seen signing an “X” in the air with his finger before playfully pointing to Musk’s son. The child, whose unusual name has already made headlines, trotted along next to Trump toward Marine One for yet another taxpayer-funded trip to Mar-a-Lago.
President Trump & Lil X 🇺🇸 @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/ajhB66FpDP
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 14, 2025
“That’s a happy picture 🥰,” Musk enthusiastically responded on social media, sharing a snapshot of his son jumping alongside the president.
This isn’t the first public appearance for the younger Musk, who has regularly joined his father at official White House functions since Elon Musk’s controversial appointment as Director of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency—a role ostensibly created to cut federal spending. Critics have accused Musk of leveraging his closeness to Trump to benefit his business interests and secure advantageous policy positions.
Political strategist Chris D. Jackson condemned the spectacle, saying, “Trump is off to Florida—again—where he’s spent 35% of his presidency golfing. Elon Musk and his human shield tagging along on the taxpayer dime? Talk about government waste.”
Online reactions varied sharply. Supporters drew nostalgic comparisons to the family-friendly Kennedy White House era, praising Trump’s newfound warmth toward the child. But critics seized the opportunity to highlight Trump’s reliance on billionaire allies like Musk. One commentator labeled Trump a “glorified babysitter for the richest man on the planet,” while another user pointedly shared vintage photos of JFK with his children, sarcastically noting, “Nice to see such a child-friendly White House—if only the kid wasn’t being used as PR.”
Grimes, Musk’s former partner and mother to X Æ A-12, has previously voiced discomfort with her son’s high-profile exposure. Meanwhile, Musk recently made headlines again by confirming the birth of his 14th child with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, further amplifying scrutiny over his personal life and priorities.
Despite the smiles and waves in the viral images, questions linger about the appropriateness of Trump’s photo ops with Musk’s family—and who truly benefits from their highly publicized “friendship.”
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I loved this photo app. Grandpa Trump is approachable to Americans of all ages. This is what we want and need
Trump is going to his home at Mar a Logo. Just like other presidents went to their homes. Other presidents have golfed and some ran everyday. He works at Mar a Logo. It doesn’t have a golf course.
Didn’t our last President have a son who is a coke head and extortionist??
Great pic. Trump isn’t sniffing licking or mauling the child. Wish asshol.. would get a life
Is this article attributed to Next Gen News or ‘Morning Joe’ as it is rife with not-so-subtle digs at both President Trump and Elon Musk?
To so-called Political strategist Chris D. Jackson who condemned the spectacle, saying, “Trump is off to Florida—again—where he’s spent 35% of his presidency golfing. Elon Musk and his human shield tagging along on the taxpayer dime? Talk about government waste.”
I suggest you do a study on former President Joe Bribem, his countless months spent in his home basement or a Delaware beach while ‘autopen’ was signing away in D.C.