Footage of Elon Musk 'abandoning' his 4-year-old son goes viral but things aren't what they seem

This article has been updated to reflect additional information that has come to light about the video of Musk.

Elon Musk has been hit with backlash after footage at an event supporting Donald Trump appeared to show him striding off without his young son, X Æ A-Xii, though not all is what it seems.

The video has gone viral on social media as Trump and Musk continue to work together in the White House, where Musk has been named as a senior advisor to the president.

The SpaceX CEO has frequently welcomed his son, who goes by the nickname X, into his day-to-day as he dives in to the world of politics, recently bringing the young boy to hang out in the Oval Office while he and Trump spoke to reporters.

Some viewers were charmed to see X holding his own while in close company with the POTUS, but other viewers have now shared criticism towards Musk as he appeared to leave behind X at an earlier event.

The footage, believed to have been filmed in January, shows Musk descending a set of metal stairs and waving to fans once he reaches the bottom. X, who is just four years old, can be seen walking behind his dad, taking the wide steps more slowly as he grips on to both handrails.

A man in a suit, presumably a security guard, can be seen standing at the bottom of the stairs as X makes his way down, but Musk initially doesn't appear willing to wait for his son as the video shows him striding away and disappearing off screen.

You can see the video here:

The so-called genius forgot his human shield son. What a loving father. pic.twitter.com/p4Pvy4bIXk

— Mukhtar (@I_amMukhtar) February 23, 2025

The camera then cuts back to show X continuing to make his way down the stairs.

As the video doesn't show whether any other adults were accompanying X at the event, viewers have been left shocked by the sight with one saying the clip 'legitimately disturbs—and saddens—' them.

Other viewers described the video as 'concerning', with one writing: "As a father, I simply cannot understand this. I could be grocery shopping alone and will STILL habitually check below me and behind me. I can’t imagine that habit will go away anytime soon.. my sons 3. How old is Elons? [sic] 5?"

However, fresh video footage from the event has since emerged that debunks the theory that Musk 'abandoned' his son.

What a liarpic.twitter.com/3G8cAq8bz2 https://t.co/bNh1OLUsJZ

— Mostly Peaceful Memes (@MostlyPeacefull) February 24, 2025

The new footage shows Musk walking down another set of stairs while beckoning X to join him.

The father glances behind him to check the youngster is following along before waving at the crowd.

Musk then waits for the boy at the foot of the stairs and appears to be urging him along.

When X meets his father at the bottom, the pair triumphantly rejoice and the youngster skips alongside his dad as they continue walking.

Other viewers also pointed out that the security at the event will have made it unlikely that X was ever completely unattended.

In response to the video, one person said of Musk's parenting: "Why? He does it just right. He can do it and it helps the child to become independent and self-confident."

UNILAD has attempted to reach out to Musk for comment.