Elon Musk’s four-year-old son, known as "Little X," stole the spotlight during a press briefing at the White House on Tuesday, but his mother, Grimes, was not pleased with his public appearance. Little X was present alongside Musk and newly elected US President Donald Trump, wandering around the Oval Office, climbing on his father’s shoulders, and even whispering to Trump. At one point, he charmed the room by politely excusing himself, saying, "Please forgive me, I need to pee." A user on X praised the child's behaviour, writing, "Lil X was very polite today! You raised him well. He was so cute when he told DJT, 'please forgive me, I need to pee.'" Grimes, on the other hand, expressed her disapproval. Responding to the post, she said, "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." During the briefing, Trump referred to Musk’s son as a "great guy" with a "high IQ." Musk and Grimes, who were romantically linked from 2018 to 2022, share three children: X Æ A-XII, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus.
The press conference itself covered key issues such as US funding for condoms in Gaza, immigration policies, federal spending cuts, and the role of democracy and transparency. Yet, somehow, it was Musk’s young son who drew much of the attention, stealing the limelight and capturing the hearts (and criticism) of viewers online.
After videos of X Æ A-XII's antics went viral, Grimes took to social media to voice her concerns. “He should not be in public like this,” she lamented, articulately demonstrating her unease with her son's sudden foray onto the public stage. "I did not see this, thank u for alerting me. But I'm glad he was polite. Sigh." Her response began garnering attention, echoing some of the sentiments of fans who viewed the situation with mixed feelings. While one user praised Grimes, another pointed out the problematic nature of exposing children to public scrutiny.
Elon Musk, who was seen laughing and engaging with both X and Trump during the press conference, took to the podium, explaining the rationale behind bringing his son to work with him and the benefits it might have for their family dynamic. "Sorry for this," Musk said during the event. "I thought my son might enjoy this, but as he's sticking his fingers in my ears and stuff, so it's been hard to hear sometimes. Hey! Stop doing it." He later showed his affection for X, unceremoniously cradling him and trying to manage the unusual atmosphere.
Despite Musk's lighthearted remarks, Grimes highlighted important social issues concerning children’s privacy. The singer previously shared her discomfort over their son being placed under the spotlight so early, indicating as much during interviews prior to this event. “I have made it clear I do not approve of [her children] being out and about,” she expressed on several occasions.
This incident is compounded by Grimes and Musk's tumultuous history. Since officially splitting up at the end of 2022, the former couple has been embroiled in legal disputes over parenting rights. Grimes recently explained how Elon took their children out and about against her wishes, contributing to the growing public discourse about parental responsibility and public visibility. Their custody battle has been fraught, with Grimes openly declaring her opposition to her children being photographed and filmed by the press.
During her response on social media, she reiterated her struggle to navigate this aspect of parenting amid the public scrutiny facing Musk. "I have made it clear I do not approve of [the children] being out and about," she insisted. "This is so important to me.” Her sensitivity to the situation reflects the broader challenges celebrity parents face, trying to balance public engagement with family privacy.
Public reactions have been similarly polarized. Some audiences find X's playful outbursts endearing, encapsulating the joy of childhood, which brings forth contrasting opinions on how far celebrity parents should go to keep their children private. Others, like Grimes, urge for responsibility and restraint, advocating for their children's right to enjoy normalcy away from flashing cameras and lights. Grimes’s concerns highlight the necessity for dialog around the pressures put on children born to high-profile figures and how the public can contribute to or alleviate those pressures.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Musk's parenting style has drawn scrutiny. The billionaire's complex family tree has often been at the center of media discussions, leading to questions about how he balances his extensive family responsibilities. Elon shares X with Grimes but has 11 other children from previous relationships, adding layers of complexity to their co-parenting efforts.
Rumors suggest Grimes and Musk's custody battle has escalated since Musk's public display with their son, creating tension. Grimes has firmly stated her belief in the importance of seeing her kids frequently, especially since their split. “I am desperate to solve it. It is personal to me,” she shared, indicating the struggle many parents face when attempting to co-parent amicably.
The juxtaposition of Musk's desire to introduce his son to high-stake events and Grimes's commitment to protect their son from public exposure highlights the conflicting philosophies inherent among modern celebrity parents. This case serves as not only an insight on their private life but also as broader commentary on public interest and child's right to privacy.
Both Grimes and Musk's responses and actions reveal differing perspectives on the balance of public and private life—a common struggle for many modern parents today, which spirals outward to encompass issues of social responsibility, privacy, and the impact of fame on family structures. With their battle over parental rights continuing, the question remains: Can celebrity parents navigate the challenging waters of raising children under public scrutiny?