Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, 53, turned heads on Capitol Hill on Thursday as he arrived with his four-year-old son, X Æ A-12, perched on his shoulders. Musk was in Washington, D.C., for a meeting with Senate Majority Leader John Thune to discuss forthcoming government initiatives. The SpaceX CEO and his son, affectionately called “X,” coordinated their outfits, both exuding a polished yet relaxed style.
X, dressed in dress pants, a grey sweater, and a sports jacket, clutched a small orange basketball as he rode atop his father’s shoulders. Reporters and photographers were quick to note the striking resemblance between the two, with father and son even sharing similar expressions during the visit.
Musk, dressed in a sharp suit and tie, walked confidently through the crowd, garnering attention not just for his tech and political influence but also for his endearing paternal side.
X’s growing presence at political events
This was not X’s first foray into the political arena. The young Musk had previously attended Donald Trump’s election night victory celebrations at Mar-a-Lago and a Trump rally the week prior.
At those events, X was fully immersed in the political fervor, donning a red MAGA hat with the slogan “Make Voting Great Again” and enthusiastically holding a Trump/Vance sign.
Meanwhile, Musk’s relationship with some of his older children has made headlines. Vivian Jenna Wilson, his estranged daughter, recently criticized Musk publicly.
Vivian, who adopted her mother’s surname, has distanced herself from Musk, citing his controversial views on gender-affirming care. Musk has openly voiced his disapproval of such treatments, referring to the concept of “deadnaming” in a recent interview and attributing his strained relationship with Vivian to what he calls the “woke mind virus.”
Role of Musk in the new administration
President-elect Donald Trump has selected Musk to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a temporary advisory body aimed at reducing federal expenditures by $6.5 trillion. Musk will work alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to devise cost-cutting strategies.
The pair met with lawmakers to outline their plans before the new administration takes office. DOGE is expected to be a short-term initiative, slated for dissolution in 2026.
Ramaswamy recently posted on Musk’s platform, X, stating that the department would be “deleted” within two years, reflecting its temporary and targeted mission. The Capitol visit marked another milestone for Musk, blending his roles as a father, tech visionary, and political influencer while shaping the future of U.S. governance.