Elon Musk appeared at a White House press conference on Friday with a visible black eye, which he said was caused by his 5-year-old son, X Æ A-12.

 

The event marked the conclusion of Musk’s 130-day tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

 

Musk explained that the bruise resulted from a playful interaction at home. “I was horsing around with little X and told him to punch me in the face. He did,” Musk said during the briefing, held alongside President Donald Trump. “I didn’t feel it at the time, but it turned into this.”

 

President Trump responded lightheartedly, saying, “That was X that did that? If you knew X, he could do it.”

 

The event included a formal farewell for Musk, during which Trump presented him with a symbolic golden key. According to DOGE figures, Musk’s efforts led to over USD 175 billion in savings through canceled contracts, asset sales, and fraud reduction—an average of USD 1,087 per taxpayer.

 

Musk said he would continue supporting DOGE in an informal capacity and focus on his private ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX.

 

The press conference came hours after The New York Times published a report alleging Musk’s use of controlled substances, including ketamine and psychedelic mushrooms, during his government service. Musk declined to directly address the claims, instead criticizing the publication’s past reporting.

 

Musk also dismissed speculation about the source of his injury, joking that he had not been in France, referencing a recent viral video involving French President Emmanuel Macron.

 

Musk said his son was not present at the event and was with his mother, Canadian musician Grimes.

 

The black eye prompted widespread attention on social media, though Musk maintained the explanation was simple and personal.