Elon Musk, the tech mogul renowned for his ventures in space exploration, electric vehicles, and social media, has become a familiar figure not just for his entrepreneurial spirit but also for his dynamic family life. Musk, a father of 12 children with three different women, has frequently brought his children into the limelight, especially since his appointment by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency. His children's presence in Washington D.C. and other prominent locations has sparked discussions about their role in Musk's multifaceted life.
Musk's children have accompanied him to exclusive places, such as the Oval Office and the SpaceX control room. Recently, his four-year-old son, nicknamed "Lil X," was spotted perched on the corner of the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, dressed smartly in a tan pea coat and collared shirt. This appearance follows Musk's decision to rename Twitter to "X" after purchasing the company. Despite their young ages, Musk's children have been dubbed "constant sidekicks," playing an integral part in their father's endeavors across technology, business, and politics.
"With his own children, his lovers, his wives, there is the same intensity that is baked into everything he does" – Walter Isaacson
The children's frequent appearances have created viral moments that add a relaxed and joyous atmosphere to events. However, not everyone sees these moments positively. Grimes, Musk's ex-girlfriend and mother of "Lil X," has publicly criticized her son's presence in the Oval Office. She expressed concerns about her child being thrust into the public eye, echoing sentiments she shared in a 2022 Vanity Fair article where she stated her apprehension regarding her son being in the spotlight.
"Whatever is going on with family stuff, I just feel like kids need to stay out of it, and X is just out there. I mean, I think E is really seeing him as a protégé and bringing him to everything and stuff.… X is out there. His situation is like that. But, yeah, I don't know" – (unattributed)
Walter Isaacson, who penned a biography on Musk, described the tech mogul as "deeply committed" and "almost obsessed" with his children. Jon Haber, a strategic communication consultant, noted that having Musk's children present is advantageous for Trump, suggesting that their presence contributes to a climate of controlled chaos.
"For Trump, the more chaos, the more he floods the zone, the less anybody can really focus on. Chaos works for him" – Jon Haber
Kurt Braddock from American University pointed out that bringing a preschooler into the Oval Office is an unusual decision. He views it as a strategic move to humanize Musk in the public eye and shift focus.
"The inclusion of the kids in many public appearances is very much a politician move or a political move to make him seem a bit more personable (and) take a human approach to how the public views him" – Kurt Braddock
Musk's children have also participated in high-profile meetings with foreign leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended significant events like a memorial service at Auschwitz concentration camp. In 2015, they were seen at a Tesla facility in Silicon Valley, creating an endearing scene as they chased each other down hallways with laughter.
"He always likes having some of his children around him. He always likes having a companion, but that doesn't mean that he likes calmness" – Walter Isaacson
Leave a Reply