Grimes rages as Elon Musk’s son X Æ A-XII charms Oval office, says ‘he’s not a prop!’

Elon Musk’s four-year-old son, X Æ A-XII, became the unexpected centre of attention during a White House press event on Tuesday. As Musk and former US President Donald Trump addressed key policy issues, the young child roamed the Oval Office, at one point climbing onto his father’s shoulders and mimicking his gestures.

The moment that gained the most traction online came when he interrupted Trump with an innocent yet unexpected request: “Please forgive me, I need to pee.” The remark quickly went viral, with social media users reacting with a mix of amusement and criticism.

Booger-Gate at the Resolute Desk

A separate clip from the event captured X Æ A-XII picking his nose and wiping it on the Resolute Desk—an iconic piece of furniture gifted by Queen Victoria in 1880. Musk, distracted while discussing democracy, chuckled at his son's antics, while Trump appeared unfazed, referring to the child as a “great guy” with a “high IQ.”


Online reactions varied. Some users found the moment endearing. One wrote, “Elon Musk is talking about cutting the deficit, and his son is just casually hanging off his shoulders and whispering to Trump. Only Elon Musk could turn an Oval Office press conference into a family hangout.” Others were less impressed. “I just watched Elon Musk’s kid wipe his boogers on the Resolute Desk. This is historic, but not in a good way,” one user commented. Another joked, “Between Musk’s kid and Trump, I can’t tell who looked more bored.”

Grimes Responds: ‘He Should Not Be in Public Like This’

Grimes, who shares three children with Musk, learned of the incident through social media. Responding to a follower who alerted her to the moment, she wrote: “He should not be in public like this. I did not see this, thank u for alerting me. But I’m glad he was polite. Sigh.”

Many social media users sided with her, questioning Musk’s decision to bring their son into such a politically charged environment. One asked, “Is he a prop for Elon?” Another added, “It is quite disturbing that he uses X in that way.”

Grimes Laments Political ‘Chaos’ and Fears Deportation

Beyond her concerns for her son, Grimes expressed frustration with the state of politics in general. In a separate post, she criticised the lack of decorum, writing: “The art of diplomacy, oration, and generally competent leadership has been lost.”

She called for a return to professionalism, stating, “The goal of politics is to find solutions, not take shots and call names.” While she avoided direct criticism of Musk or Trump, she made it clear that the current political landscape troubled her.

Acknowledging her Canadian nationality, she also hinted at fears of deportation, joking: “I just don’t wanna be deported haha – like literally.”

Custody Battle and Musk’s Political Leanings

Grimes and Musk, who were together from 2018 to 2022, have three children: X Æ A-XII, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus. The former couple have been locked in a custody battle in recent months, with Grimes accusing Musk of limiting her access to their children.

Musk, who has increasingly aligned himself with right-wing politics, has previously brought his son to major political events, including Trump’s campaign rallies and election night broadcasts. Tuesday’s White House appearance, however, seemed to draw more scrutiny than usual.

Policy Overshadowed by Viral Moment

The press event was meant to focus on serious policy discussions, including US funding for Gaza, immigration policies, and federal spending cuts. Instead, the biggest takeaway for many was the unexpected presence of Musk’s son.

Even Musk seemed to recognise the moment’s impact, later resharing a post comparing a photo of X with Trump to an iconic image of John F. Kennedy with his young son in the White House.

As for Grimes, her concerns remain unanswered. But one thing is certain—Musk’s son has left his mark on the Oval Office, in more ways than one.