On Tuesday at the Oval Office, a joint press conference led by President Donald Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, they described a new executive order concerning the reduction of the federal workforce. The goal is to consolidate operations among U.S. Government agencies and to have each develop plans for substantial cut-backs.
Trump’s proposed action is to urge agencies to assess whether departments or functions can be eliminated from or aggregated, particularly those that are thought to be superfluous. Furthermore, the requirement is that the agencies slow down their hiring to where, for every four positions, only one new position is filled. This metric will be used in most sectors, with some exceptions for positions in immigration, law enforcement, and public safety.
Musk’s Son X Steals the Spotlight
Although the release of the executive order generated high visibility, it was Musk’s toddler, X Æ ‘X’ A-Xii, who dominated the news cycle almost instantly. Kais, with their father by his side, made noises and gestures that drew onlookers’ attention, such as President Trump.
🚀 MUSK & TRUMP IN THE OVAL OFFICE—BUT LITTLE X STEALS THE SHOW! 🇺🇸
Elon Musk is standing next to President Trump, talking about cutting the deficit in half—and his 4-year-old son, X, is just casually hanging off his dad’s shoulders, whispering to Trump, and picking his nose. 😂… pic.twitter.com/exC8P4pgwM
— Francois Leclerc (@f_leclerc20037) February 11, 2025
At one point, X appeared to whisper something to President Trump. To that Trump was seen taking a calming gesture as if to comfort the child. In a further moment of distraction, X was observed picking his nose, a behavior many would consider typical for a child of his age. Trump’s response to the child’s behavior was a blend of irritation and unease, turning away from the child.
Social Media Reactions to Musk’s Parenting
Musk is no stranger to public appearances with his son, often bringing him along to events, including campaign rallies. Nevertheless, this very specific instance in the Oval Office generated a flurry of responses on social media.
One user commented, “Using his son as a prop. Elon Musk doesn’t belong in the U.S. government.”
Another added, “Elon Musk’s son stole the show in the Oval Office today. I love the pro-child message this sends. ‘Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.’”
Another user sarcastically commented, ““You know Trump believes children are important work. That’s why he went down to Epstein’s Island so many times – you know, the place where men went to rape underage girls? Yep, important work for Donald.”
A Shift in U.S. Federal Workforce Strategy
Musk’s visit to the White House focused on the executive order aimed at reducing the federal workforce. The Associated Press reported that the order will force agencies to make difficult decisions regarding staffing levels.
This plan is in tune with the ongoing presidential effort by President Donald Trump to reduce the cost and improve the government’s operational system, although Musk’s personal life for a brief time parried the policy debate.
